AIB closures are ‘two fingers to rural Ireland’ – Murray

AIB closures are ‘two fingers to rural Ireland’ - Murray


Ciara Galvin
ciaragalvin@mayonews.ie

Four AIB branches in the county closed their doors for the last time last Friday as part of cost-cutting measures for the bank who posted losses of €1.1bn for the first six months of this year.
Branches in Charlestown, Ballyhaunis, Kiltimagh and Belmullet have all lost services along with 40 other branches which closed nationwide on Friday. The closures are said to be ‘regrettable but necessary’ for AIB to return to viability.
Speaking about the closures of the four Mayo branches, Charlestown-based councillor Gerry Murray said people were very angry and outraged at the closure of services.
“People bailed out the banks and it’s not just people in Dublin who did, people beyond the pale in rural Ireland bailed them out. AIB have effectively given the two fingers to people in rural Ireland,” said Cllr Murray.
Cllr Murray questioned AIB’s cost-saving measures telling The Mayo News that since staff weren’t being made redundant all they were saving on is light, heat and basic running costs.
Cllr Murray said people feel ‘totally let down’ by the closures.
“If we don’t stand up, rural Ireland will effectively be shut down,” claimed the councillor, who added that Fine Gael were simply implementing what Fianna FΡil had signed up to with the IMF. “It’s time to tell Europe enough is enough,” concluded Cllr Murray.
It has been reported nationally that AIB has said cash-lodgement services will be provided by local post offices and four mobile banks will operate in 31 locations nationally. However, some transactions will still require a visit to a bank, resulting in people having to make an estimated 20 kilometre return trip to their nearest local branch.

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