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 24 June, 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 RELEASE 24 JUNE 2005 Gary Kennedy to leave AIB Group Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. ("AIB") (NYSE:AIB) announces that Mr Gary Kennedy is to leave his position as AIB Group Director, Finance & Enterprise Technology by December 2005. He will become special adviser to the Group on finance and risk. AIB Group Chairman Dermot Gleeson said:- "We are very grateful to Gary for the very substantial contribution he has made to AIB over the past eight years both as an executive and a member of the AIB Board. He spearheaded the acquisition of Bank Zachodni in Poland and, with Michael Buckley, led the transformation of our US business. He played a major role in the overall development of the business both through his leadership and his strategic focus. He leaves at a time when the Group is performing very solidly and his contribution both to this and to the planning of our future strategy is much appreciated. We wish him well in his future career." Gary Kennedy said:- "With a new CEO, a new organisational structure and the rescoping of my role and responsibilities, now is the right time for me to seek fresh opportunities and challenges." Deciding to leave a great company is never easy and the eight years I have spent in AIB have been filled with excitement and challenge. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with colleagues in all our geographies and look forward to continuing many of these relationships in my new role as special adviser on finance and risk." An internal process has commenced to identify a suitable candidate for Finance Director. - 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 24 June, 2005 By: ___________________ Gary Kennedy Group Director, Finance, Risk and Enterprise Technology Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c.