Locals threaten boycott of bank

ANGRY customers staged a protest yesterday against plans by Bank of Ireland to close a sub office in north Cork, and more than 100 of them have vowed to transfer their accounts to rival banks if the move goes ahead.

The protest was organised by an action group in Doneraile, which is opposing the bank’s plans to close a sub office in that town on November 24.

Action group spokesman Willie Hallihan said he couldn’t understand Bank of Ireland’s attitude because Doneraile was set for boom times. He added that the closure would hit elderly people hardest and affect those who couldn’t drive — the nearest Bank of Ireland branch is eight miles away in Mallow.