Online public meeting to take place on bank closure

AN urgent online meeting about the planned closure of a Bank of Ireland branch in Dungannon is being held this evening (Thursday).

Last week, it was announced that the Dungannon branch of the Bank of Ireland was one of 15 across the North that is set to close by the end of this year.

The Strabane branch is also among those to shut.

Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA, Colm Gildernew, has organised a virtual meeting for this Thursday, starting at 6.30pm, as part of efforts to keep the Dungannon branch open.

The Sinn Féin elected representative said, “For our town and community to thrive, we need our local bank branches to stay open.

“In the middle of a pandemic when customers and businesses are under severe pressure, Bank of Ireland should not be closing local bank branches in Dungannon or anywhere else.

“Keeping our local branch in Dungannon open is crucial for our community. I will be hosting an online public meeting on Thursday at 6.30pm and I am urging people to attend and make their voices heard to keep this branch open.”

Mr Gildernew added, “Sinn Féin will continue to challenge the rationale for these closures and highlight the impact the loss of services will have on towns and villages.”