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 12 May 2005 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 DELIVERY 12 MAY 2005 AIB GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE DESIGNATE EUGENE SHEEHY APPOINTED TO AIB BOARD Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. ("AIB") (NYSE:AIB) is pleased to announce that Eugene Sheehy, who was appointed Group Chief Executive Designate on 10 March 2005, has today been appointed an Executive Director of the Group. Mr Sheehy (51) joined AIB in 1971 and has held a variety of key posts with the organisation. Most recently he worked in the US as Chairman and CEO, Mid Atlantic Division, M&T Bank. Mr Sheehy's appointment to the Board takes place with immediate effect. - ENDS - For further information contact: Catherine Burke Alan Kelly Head of Corporate Relations Head of Group Investor Relations AIB Group AIB Group Bankcentre Bankcentre Dublin 4 Dublin 4 Tel: +353-1-6600311 ext. 13894 Tel: +353-1-6600311 ext. 12162 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 12 May 2005 By: ___________________ Gary Kennedy Group Director, Finance, Risk and Enterprise Technology Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c.