The former Bank of Ireland chief executive, Mr Pat Molloy, has increased his holding in the bank by more than 121,000 shares and also made a profit of in excess of £65,000 after buying shares at an option price and then selling some of the shares into the market.

In another transaction, the Bank of Ireland company secretary Mr Terry Forsyth has made a profit of almost £130,000 after exercising options over 110,977 shares at 226 1/4 p and then selling the shares into the market at £14.10 each.