Moate's Bank of Ireland branch to close permanently tomorrow

Moate will be left without a bank branch from tomorrow (Friday, October 8) when the long-established Bank of Ireland in the town will close for good.

A smaller bank branch at the former Athlone IT (now TUS) will also close tomorrow.

The shutting of the two local branches, along with others in Castlepollard and Kinnegad, were among 103 closures in the Republic and Northern Ireland which were announced by the bank in March.

A Bank of Ireland spokesperson told the Westmeath Independent that no compulsory redundancies were being implemented as a result of the closures.

"There are no compulsory redundancies across our network as a result of branch closures.

"Colleagues have been offered the option to relocate to alternative branches, apply for alternative roles within the bank, or apply for our voluntary redundancy scheme," the spokesperson said.

The closure of the Moate branch, in particular, was greeted with dismay when it was announced. It came after the ending of AIB's presence in the town some years ago.

"It's a huge loss to the town and area. I mean, to have no bank in the third biggest town in Westmeath is a disgrace," the chairperson of the Moate Action Group, Jimmy Redmond, said in March.

"It's a big blow to the town. Losing AIB was a huge blow too. Not every person is online. I know when you went in (to the bank) they were very helpful and there are still people who like to go in and pay their bills and do their business. It's also a loss of social contact," he commented.