US bank Merrill Lynch has sacked 13 staff at its Dublin operations who allegedly sent pornographic material through its e-mail system.
The move followed the suspension of 20 staff - both male and female - last week following an internal investigation at the bank into the sending of pornographic e-mails. The remaining seven have been given written warnings and will return to work next week.
According to a report by the Irish Times, the suspension of the 20 followed an earlier incident where two members of staff were sacked after sending a pornographic e-mail to a client of the company.
This incident prompted the bank to launch an internal inquiry and search through its computer systems and e-mail servers where further evidence of inappropriate use of e-mail emerged.
As well as the suspension of 20 staff, another ten employees received written warnings and must now receive training on appropriate e-mail and Internet usage.