The chief executive of the Bank of Ireland Mr Maurice Keane bought shares in the bank worth €725,000 (£570,983) on Monday through the exercising of options which saw him acquire the shares for €167,000.

Mr Keane exercised 100,000 options to buy ordinary shares at €1.67 per share. The shares closed on Monday at €7.25. The transaction brings Mr Keane's holding to just over 1 million shares.