Anger at Ulster Bank closure in Ballyhaunis

Michael Commins

THERE was anger expressed in Ballyhaunis and its hinterland last week when news broke that the Ulster Bank in the town has been ear-marked for closure in the coming months. Ulster Bank announced its decision to close 22 branches around the country. Ballymote in Co Sligo is also to lose its bank as well as two outlets in Galway city.
Local councillor John Cribbin said the news came as a complete shock. “It was a bolt out of the blue. The first I heard about it was on the television news. I couldn’t believe it. Like so many others, I was very disappointed with the news and annoyed with the way in which it was announced so abruptly.
“The Ulster Bank has been a landmark in the town down through the decades.  I recall the queues out the door on Tuesdays and Fridays in other times. It always got good support around the Ballyhaunis area.
“Personally I like to do things the old ways when I go into the bank. I am not into cards and I don’t use them. I like to speak to people. I have known the various staff at the Ulster Bank over many years and this is a sad occasion for all associated with the history of the Ulster Bank in Ballyhaunis.
“The closure of a bank does have an impact on a town. It impacts on the positivity that can be a vital part of a town and community. The news has caused a lot of regret around the region.”

‘Serious blow’
Fianna FΡil TD Dara Calleary says the closure of the Ballyhaunis branch of Ulster Bank is a serious blow to customers in the east Mayo area. “The announcement from Ulster Bank is extremely disappointing and will seriously impact customers in Ballyhaunis and east Mayo.  It’s particularly frustrating as it comes only a few years after AIB closed its branch in the town.
“I have contacted Ulster Bank to establish the rationale behind the move. Customers in Ballyhaunis will be forced to travel to other towns to avail of banking services, and the closure is not only a blow for the bank’s own customers, it will have an impact on the town as well.
“Older people will be disproportionately impacted by the decision, as many prefer to go into their branch and deal with people rather than use online banking.  Now they will have to travel further afield to do their day to day banking.”
Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy has called on Ulster Bank to reverse its decision to close a range of branches across the state. “While this will be sold as a corporate decision which has been made by a private company, I would strongly urge Ulster Bank to reconsider its decision and to make every effort to keep these branches open for the good of the local communities involved.
“Ulster Bank needs immediately to sit down with the communities involved and discuss the fate of local branches in an effort to retain these vital services. I am willing to work with everyone to keep these important services open, and to working with the communities involved to do so.”
The closures are scheduled to take place in June and September and, when complete, will leave Ulster Bank with 88 branches in the Republic of Ireland. Bank of Ireland is the last remaining bank in Ballyhaunis. The town does have a well supported local Credit Union.