Further rural bank closures in Mayo are inevitable - claim

RURAL towns across the west of Ireland are bracing themselves for further loss of key services, The Connaught Telegraph has learned.

The country’s main banks are re-examining the prospect of closing branches in communities where it is no longer profitable to keep them open.

Mayo Sinn Féin Councillor Gerry Murray stated some small towns have already lost their banking services and it has had a devastating impact on local business life.

The Charlestown-based representative said: “I am acutely aware that the situation is being closely monitored by the banks. While I don’t want to sound negative, I understand that bad news is inevitable for towns in this county.

“I am calling for government action on the matter because a number of our bigger banks are State owned or partly State owned.

'Times are difficult enough for businesses in small towns without the imposition of having to travel to larger urban centre to do their financial business.”

Councillor Murray said the situation brought into focus the urgent need to protect rural post offices ‘at all costs’.

“It is essential the social welfare contract is retained by An Post in view of what’s happening our banks.

'The issue of rural decline did not receive the kind of attention it needed during the general election campaign and something radical has to be done to save our rural communities at a time when the economy recovery has passed by counties like Mayo.”

Councillor Murray and his party are to seek a full debate on the issue at a forthcoming meeting of Mayo County Council.