A recent meeting between councillors and banking officials has heard how Ulster Bank’s decision to close its branch in Irvinestown is “a done deal” and will come into effect later this year.
It means the next nearest Ulster Bank branch for Irvinestown customers will be Enniskillen and it has also emerged that the bank has also decided to remove its ATM machine.
At Tuesday night’s meeting of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Democratic Unionist David Mahon called for Ulster Bank to “leave a lasting legacy behind” after dropping the service “like a hot potato.” 
With the rise of online banking contributing to the decision, Councillor Mahon wants to see Ulster Bank invest in its customers by “contributing financially to the installation of broadband.”
“This to me would be a sign of real commitment to their loyal customers of which the bank itself would also benefit from more online transactions which is its ultimate goal.
“Banks in general have too long taken the rural people of Fermanagh and Omagh for granted and need now to step up to the challenge,” he said. 
Ulster Unionist Councillor Diana Armstrong agreed, saying internet banking was “one issue of concern” while Democratic Unionist Raymond Farrell said it was “only right” that Ulster Bank “leaves a permanent legacy.”
“We have served Ulster Bank well,” Councillor Farrell told the Council. 
Director of Community, Health and Leisure Robert Gibson described the recent meeting with Ulster Bank as “forthright”.
He added: “It’s a done deal, the branch will close in June.”
Referring to a multi-million pound government bail out for RBS, Sinn Fein’s Barry Doherty said: “There is a legacy, that legacy is austerity. You can write all the letters you want, they don’t care.” 
“I worked for a large bank, they don’t care,” said Councillor Doherty.