Some of the people protesting in Belleek at the proposed closure of the Bank of Ireland branch
Bank of Ireland have confirmed the closure of their Belleek branch.
The decision comes despite 7,500 people signing a petition opposing the move and a week of daily protests supported by local MLAs and councillors from both Fermanagh and nearby Donegal.
The bank, with hundreds of customers on both sides of the border, is one of eight across the North shutting its doors later this year. Hundreds of customers with accounts in Belleek now face a 50 mile return trip to Enniskillen to visit their nearest bank.
In a letter sent to Bridie Gormley of the Belleek Chamber of Commerce this week, NI Regional Director Sean Sheehan said: “Since making our announcement on July 20, we have met, listened and responded to a number of key stakeholders, including yourself on behalf of the Belleek Chamber of Commerce, regarding the closure of Belleek branch. We have also consulted with our staff and their representatives, and are now starting to implement our closure plans and issue customer communications.”
Ms Gormley told the Herald this lunchtime that the bank had shown total disrespect and disregard for the people of Belleek by ignoring their petition against the plan.
“Bank of Ireland have refused to listen to the 7,500 people who signed our petition and are pushing forward with their decision to close the bank.
“While we will continue to fight it seems the decision has now been made and it is hugely disappointing”.
For more see Wednesday’s Fermanagh Herald.
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