The Government must use its substantial stake in the Bank of Ireland to prevent the closures of local branches in Clones and Castleblayney. That was the clear message from a public meeting organised by Sinn Féin TD for Cavan/Monaghan Matt Carthy last Friday evening, held online due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The meeting, attended by business representatives and members of the community from ‘Blayney and Clones, was told by Deputy Carthy that, when local towns lose banking services, it resulted in lower levels of investment and therefore had a negative impact on the wider economy in the area.
The meeting also heard from local Sinn Féin representatives Councillor Pat Treanor from Clones and Paul Gibbons from Castleblayney who is Vice- Chair of the party in Co Monaghan. At the outset Deputy Carthy noted that there were 103 Bank of Ireland branches facing closure next September across the island. The decision was a particular blow to Co Monaghan as, alongside the proposed closures of the Clones and Castleblayney branches, the bank also intended to shut neighbouring branches at Cootehill in Co Cavan, Keady and…
