The Bank of Ireland building in Moate which closed in the autumn of 2021, resulting in the loss of the town’s last 24-hour ATM.

‘Cash is king’: Bid for return of 24-hour Moate ATM

Adrian Cusack

Published: Thu 12 Jun 2025, 5:18 PM

A local councillor has said a newly-passed 'access to cash' law should be used to compel financial institutions to reinstate a 24-hour ATM in Moate.

The town has been without a round-the-clock ATM for more than three years, after the closure of the local Bank of Ireland branch and the removal of its on-street cash machine.

It means those looking to withdraw banknotes in the town must do so from in-store machines that are no longer accessible after the doors shut each evening.

Local councillor Tom Farrell this week said he was hopeful the situation could now be addressed as a result of the Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Act 2025, which was signed into law by President Higgins on May 20.

"I'm calling for a 24-hour ATM in Moate to ensure the needs of the people of the locality are met," said Cllr Farrell.

He was speaking during the monthly meeting of the Athlone Moate Municipal District on Monday.

"I welcome the new legislation, and the commitment in the Programme for Government to ensure public bodies can accept cash.

"Both of these moves underpin the Government's belief that cash has a role in our society, and that's very important," stated the Fine Gael councillor.

He said that, under the new law, the Minister for Finance would be required to "prescribe the percentage of the population that must be within a specified distance of not less than 5km, and not more than 10km, of an ATM and cash service point," and that this could be to Moate's benefit.

"Where there is a shortage of ATMs or cash lodgement centres, the Central Bank can direct the financial institutions to address this," Cllr Farrell added.

He said the legislation could now be used "to put pressure on the financial institutions, through the Central Bank, to make the case for an ATM in Moate".

Cllr Vinny McCormack said he fully supported Cllr Farrell's call for the return of an ATM in Moate to be prioritised.

"Moate has a long history of banking. There were two banks there for an eternity, but they couldn't wait to withdraw their services when the branches were closed. There were no measures left in place to ensure people would have access to a 24-hour ATM," Cllr McCormack added.