Whatever about the crisis in regard to inflows and outflows of money in Irish banks, customers in Mayo are still to enjoy the usual access to their in-cash accounts.
Responding to claims suggesting Bank of Ireland is to withdraw ATM services from Achill and Foxford, management at the bank have come out to declare the speculation utterly unfounded.
“Bank of Ireland remains totally committed to providing ATM cash facilities in towns, villages, and rural communities, and this includes Achill and Foxford. Indeed, we have just recently reached agreement with Sweeney's in Achill to extend the full ATM service for a further 12 months,” said Julie Sherlock, Group Communications, Bank of Ireland.
She added that Bank of Ireland is the leading ATM provider in Ireland and has substantially expanded its network over the past five years.
The matter was discussed at the Belmullet Electoral Area committee this week by Achill based councillor Michael McNamara. “The ATM operated by Bank of Ireland is one of two in the county that they plan to downgrade and take out of 24 hour use and put inside a shop,” he said. “It’s the only one in Achill. I for one am disgusted by this. They have been bailed out by the taxpayer, and now they want people in Achill to go to either Westport or Castlebar to get cash if they need it at night.”
Sinn Féin Cllr Rose Conway Walsh said such a move would “be a disaster for Achill.”
Cllr McNamara went on to say, “I use the machine very often. It’s the only one on the island and there is always a queue. It’s not that long ago they withdrew the travelling bank service, and now this.”
Bank of Ireland spokeswoman Ms Sherlock added that there are an average of more than 1,000 transactions carried out at the Bank of Ireland ATM on Achill Island each week and services would continue as normal. Any claims to suggest otherwise were completely without foundation, she added.
