The shooting dead of bank manger recalled as Ulster Bank closes its doors Tullamore

THE Ulster Bank in Tullamore will close its doors for the last time today April 21.

The bank is one of 63 branches around the country to close permanently. The closure is part of its phased withdrawal from the Republic of Ireland.

Ulster bank was founded in 1836 and first came to Tullamore in 1893. That same year the Bank of Ireland also opened on High Street. At one time Ulster Bank had branches in Ferbane, Clara, Kilcormac and Edenderry.

In 1922 the manager of the Tullamore branch Thomas Mitchell was shot dead by the Republican IRA during the course of a robbery. Mr Mitchell a farmer's son had been manager of the bank since it opened. 

Prior to that another serious incident occurred at the bank. In May 1921 on what was a fair day in Tullamore a gang of armed men raided the premises. The culprits no doubt realised there was more money in the bank than usual.  Mr Mitchell refused to hand over any cash and he was shot and wounded. 

He survived, only to face another gang just 14 months later when the bank was raided for a second time. Once again Mr Mitchell refused to hand over the keys to the safe and was shot dead. 

The closure of  the Ulster bank marks the end of an era for Tullamore and will be a loss to its many customers.

Ulster Bank says that ''a range of customer services and supports will continue after April 21, through telephone and online channels, to help remaining customers move and close their accounts. Known vulnerable customers will still continue to be supported in moving to a new banking provider.''

Ulster Bank has been reducing branch services on a phased basis since its withdrawal was announced and branch transactions have seen a 99% reduction since January 2021. Less than 5% of known vulnerable customers typically use the branch network currently. In January 2023, Ulster Bank formally wrote to customers providing them with notice of the closure of its branch network, with branches ceasing transactions on March 31 2023.

Ulster Bank Chief Executive, Jane Howard, said:

''Today is a poignant day in Ulster Bank’s 187-year history as our remaining 63 branches in the Republic of Ireland will close their doors for the last time. While the focus in recent months has been on supporting our customers as they move to new banking providers, we know our branches and colleagues have been a central part of communities around the country for many years. I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our branch colleagues over the years, particularly for their dedication over the past two challenging years, and I’d also like to thank our customers for allowing us to be part of your communities.

''As the closure of current and deposit accounts materially concludes, I strongly urge any remaining customer who has not yet moved their current and deposit account to act swiftly to find a new provider and move their accounts. Although our branches will no longer be open after today, we are still here to support our remaining customers.''