Brinks row to leave 240 ATMs empty by tonight

Around 240 ATMs on the east coast will be empty by tonight as the dispute at security firm Brinks Allied remains unresolved.

Around 240 ATMs on the east coast will be empty by tonight as the dispute at security firm Brinks Allied remains unresolved.

However, the Irish Payments Services Organisation (IPSO) said that people wishing to use ATM services, such as checking account balances, could still do so online or through 24-hour telephone banking.

For those wishing to get cash, some retailers are offering more "cash-back" services for those paying for items with a laser card. Some ATMs situated in shops are refilled by the shops themselves and so are not affected by the dispute.

And Ulster Bank today confirmed that all its branch ATMs are unaffected meaning account holders in other banks can use their machines for cash withdrawals. The bank also said the vast majority of off-site Ulster Bank ATMs are unaffected.

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The dispute had originally affected the 200 non-branch ATMs, but has now begun affecting machines attached to banks. Approximately 80 of these may be empty by tonight, while 160 non-branch machines are already withouth cash.

Despite reports that machines in Dublin Airport had run out of cash, IPSO said this was not the case as banks had prioritised re-filling these machines.

Earlier, Brinks Allied refused to attend a Labour Court hearing to help resolve the dispute over an attempt by management to introduce new vehicles and security procedures following a spate of armed robberies.

A statement by Siptu, which represents Brinks workers, said it had been "advised by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) that Brinks Allied is not prepared to attend the Labour Court at present".

Siptu has requested a further conciliation conference at the LRC. Employees at Brinks yesterday rejected proposals put forward after talks at the LRC. A Brinks spokesman was unavailable for comment this evening.

The dispute began after Brinks workers refused to operate new security vans introduced in an effort to combat a spate of armed raids. The main issue is an instruction for vans to leave the scene of a raid, potentially abandonning security staff.

Siptu has advised the workers to remain available for work, but only if the company reintroduces the older vans.

AIB and Bank of Ireland have been hit by the dispute which is confined to the east of the country. Bank branches in other parts of the State are unaffected because they are serviced by other security firms.