BoI closes Athboy, Ratoath and Enfield branches today
The Bank of Ireland will lock its doors in Athboy, Enfield and Ratoath today for the final time, in a move that has angered local residents and businesses.
The bank is closing more than a third of its branches across the country today and in many cases, will be removing their ATMs from the towns.
The loss of Athboy branch will be a huge blow, according to local businessman Padraig McElhinney.
“The Ulster Bank closed a few years ago and now we only have the Post Office and Credit Union.
“It is a huge loss to local businesses and residents, and of course the local staff who were always very courteous to us,” he said.
“The nearest banks to us now are either in Trim, Navan or Kells.
“The ATM machine is also being removed so the only machines left in the town will be in the Centra supermarket and the credit union.
“It is unfair on businesses who need to lodge cash and who have stood by the banks over the years. We bailed them out a few years back, but they have thrown it back in our faces – we weren't even asked our opinion,” he said.
Fiona Hanily who runs two businesses in Athboy said the closure of the branch was devastating.
“It is devastating to the local community and to local businesses.
“I've been in business 30 years and been banking with Bank of Ireland for 30 years.
“It is a huge loss and hey are also taking away the ATM,” she said.
Cllr Mike Bray said; “It is a sad day for Athboy and the surrounding communities to see no bank in the town with the closure of Bank of Ireland.”
Cllr Bray said it was a disappointing decision as the services on offer in Athboy were very important for many customers.
“Many local businesses and residents depended on the branch in Athboy to do their banking especially since the closure of the Ulster Bank a number of years ago.
“It is a victim of the move to online services which most people now use in some capacity. I would say all of my generation do nearly all of their banking through an app on their phone.
“However, in Athboy we are very lucky to have a strong independent community-led Credit Union which offers a wide range of over-the-counter financial services six days a week as well as a great online service.
“The Bank of Ireland building in Athboy is a beautiful building and there is great interest in acquiring the property. I am hopeful the building will be used in the future by another business or for another development which will positively impact the town."
Cllr Nick Killian said the closure of the bank is causing a lot of anxiety in Ratoath.
“It is an absolute disgrace. It is a huge blow to local businesses who now have to travel to Ashbourne to bank.
“We are also losing the ATM and this causing major problems for local residents, especially night workers and commuters who leave early in the morning and might need to get cash.
“The only ATM is in the local shop, but between 10pm and 8am, there is no way of accessing cash in Ratoath,” he said.
“I feel sorry for older people who aren't computer savvy, who will now have to travel further to do their banking.
“We are lucky that we have a very good credit union and that the local shop has an ATM,” he said.
In Enfield, the loss of the bank and the ATM is being seen as a disaster, according to Cllr Noel French.
“It is the only bank in Enfield so it is a disaster for local businesses.
“It is also a huge blow to older people and those who aren't tech savvy.
“I don't know how people who have poor access to broadband will manage.
“It seems to be the way banks are going. It is a huge change after 200 years of face to face banking. It is a shame as far as I am concerned,” he said.