UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 6-K Report of Foreign Private Issuer Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the date of 18 December, 2002 ALLIED IRISH BANKS, public limited company Bankcentre, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F. Form 20-F..X... Form 40-F..... Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes ..... No ..X... If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, 18th December, 2002 AIB SHAREHOLDERS APPROVE ALLFIRST MERGER WITH M&T BANK Shareholders of Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. ("AIB") today approved the Bank's plan to merge its U.S. subsidiary, Allfirst Financial Inc., with M&T Bank Corporation ("M&T"), and to acquire a 22.5% strategic stake in the enlarged entity. The transaction was approved by M&T's shareholders on Monday and, subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Ireland and of U.S. regulatory authorities, is expected to be completed by end-March 2003. -ENDS- For further information please contact: Alan Kelly Catherine Burke Head of Capital & Group Investor Relations Head of Corporate Relations AIB Group AIB Group Bankcentre Bankcentre Ballsbridge Ballsbridge Dublin 4 Dublin 4 Tel: +353-1-6600311 ext. 12162 Tel: +353-1-6600311 ext. 13894 END Signatures Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorised. ALLIED IRISH BANKS, p.l.c. (Registrant) Date 18 December 2002 By: ___________________ Gary Kennedy Group Director, Finance, Risk and Enterprise Technology Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c.