G4S Cash Solution Services has decided to close its depot in Monksland, Athlone with the potential loss of up to 20 jobs.
The company announced yesterday (Thursday November 14 ) that it will be closing its Athlone branch based at Unit 2, Daneswell Business Park, before the end of this year, due to “challenging trading circumstances”.
Managing director for G4S Ireland Niall Feely said the company will be redeploying staff to other branches in Galway, Sligo, Limerick, or Dublin “with the aim to secure as many jobs as possible”. It is believed that employees are also being offered voluntary redundancy.
However Monksland-based councillor John Keogh says he believes there will be job losses.
“If staff are redeployed, it will be 60, 80, or 100 miles away, which will not suit people living in the area with families or mortgages. The reality is it will lead to job losses.
“The loss of the depot is also a loss of rates to Roscommon County Council, and this will have knock-on effects for property tax and water rates.
“This decision makes no sense whatsoever. Athlone is ideally located for cash transport around the country. If a van has to come from Galway to service the Midlands there is no way the same level of service can be maintained,” he added.
In a statement released yesterday, the company said the closure is “part of a nationwide restructuring programme aimed at underpinning the company’s operations in Ireland”.
“With the economic downturn, demand for cash has decreased significantly over the last couple of years leading to a 27 per cent decline in volumes in the market place. Prices for services are coming under pressure while costs have remained high due to the requirement to maintain a country-wide network for customers.”
Mr Feely said that the decision to close the Athlone branch was made “with great regret”.
“This follows a significant review of our operations during the summer. We are working with our employees, unions, and our customers to ensure that there is no disruption to our cash services in the Athlone area and we will continue to provide excellent service to our customers from our Galway, Sligo, Limerick, and Dublin branches.
“This will have no impact on the G4S security, fire, or manned security businesses that operate in Athlone. Business will continue as usual for our customers.”
G4S Cash Solutions (Ireland ) Ltd has more than 600 employees and operates a fleet of almost 180 vehicles.
