Milne '˜disappointed' over plans to close south Derry banks

Sinn FÃ©in MLA for Mid-Ulster, Ian Milne has expressed '˜disappointment' on learning of plans by Bank of Ireland to shut eight branches across the North including Maghera and Draperstown in his constituency with the potential loss of dozens of jobs.

By The Newsroom

Published 20th Jul 2016, 14:38 BST

Updated 20th Jul 2016, 15:43 BST

Ian Milne Sinn Fein MLA and Assembly candidate

It is understood around 50 staff will be affected.

Mr Milne said: “It certainly is very disappointing for the customers who use them. As my constituency office is located in nearby Gulladuff, I have been availing off the services provided in Bank of Ireland’s Maghera branch over recent years and always found the customer service provided by its managers and staff to be excellent.

“The news regarding the closure of the Maghera and Draperstown branches is a significant blow to our local economy and will greatly reduce service provision etc. Again, it is rural dwellers who are bearing the brunt of the bank’s drive for cost-cutting at a time when it is soon expected to announce significant profits.”

“Our solidarity at this time is with the workers in all the branches earmarked for closure.”