Cash boost for Athboy as Credit Union ATM opens again

News that the new ATM in Athboy Credit Union was installed yesterday (Tuesday) will come as a welcome relief in the town, which has been without a full ATM service since the end of September.

While the ATM in the credit union was out of action, locals have had to rely on cash machines in the local shops or cash back facilities, which were only available during their business hours, highlighting the vulnerable position the town has found itself regarding cash since the banks left town.

Traditionally, Athboy had two banks with the Ulster Bank first to close their Athboy branch in 2015, followed by Bank of Ireland in October of last year. This meant the only 24-hour ATM machine was the one at Athboy Credit Union. However, it was actually an Ulster Bank cash machine with agreement reached between the bank and Athboy Credit Union that it would accommodate its bank machine when Ulster Bank left town.

Now with the withdrawal of Ulster Bank from the market in the Republic of Ireland, this had also meant the withdrawal of its cash machine in Athboy Credit Union.

Manager Nick Murphy explained that they have reached a new agreement with Brinks All Cash who are providing the new ATM service.

Technical issues meant it had taken longer than anticipated to get the service back up and running but news of its installation in time for the busy Christmas season will come as a relief to locals.

Mr Murphy said: "When Ulster Bank pulled out, they installed their ATM with us. We had an agreement with them where they kept on ATM facilities in the town, with us, using our premises. Our new agreement is with Brinks All Cash.

"People had nowhere else to get cash unless they go into one of the supermarkets when they are open. But they are under pressure as well to supply cash into them.

Local councillor David Gilroy said there was a certain degree of frustration in the town and that access to cash was limited.

He praised the Credit Union for stepping into the gap to provide ATM services after the banks just "pulled the plug on the services and didn't really consider the impact it would have on the community that had provided it with hits business for so many years and this was the case in communties right across the country."