Sinn Fein County Councillor, Mick Quinn, has claimed that the practise by banks of closing rural branches is contributing to Rural isolation. 
Quinn said,
“Bank closures are causing many problems for Rural Communities, particularily for people who do not have their own transport”
“In a county that has little or no Public Transport, people are dependant on family, friends or indeed a taxi service in order to access their banks”
“This is particularily true in the Letterkenny/Milford area, as the only banks in this region are situated in Letterkenny.”
Quinn said
“Because of the increase in crime in the county, many people in this area are reluctant to keep money in their homes and this means that they are forced to travel to Letterkenny more often in order to get access to their banks”
“This has a very negative effect on the small businesses in their own Communities who are already struggling.”
“Internet Banking is not a solution as some people have a poor service and others are of a generation who find computers difficult to understand.”
“The reality is that the banks, in their never-ending quest for profits, are harming Rural Communities and are providing a sub-standard service for their customers in these Communities.”