Comyn attends extraordinary Credit Union meeting in O’Connell’s GFC Castlebellingham
Connect Credit Union have said the meeting was not called by the Board of Directors
Fianna Fáil General Election candidate for Louth Alison Comyn says she attended an extraordinary meeting in O’Connell’s GFC Castlebellingham, where over 200 members of Clogherhead and Kilsaran Credit Unions passed a Vote of No Confidence in the Board of Management at Connect Credit Union.
Ms Comyn said there was clear anger and frustration amongst the capacity crowd, following the sudden closure of the two local branches, which members say has seriously impacted the two communities.
In response to the meeting Connect Credit Union have said:
"We are aware of a public gathering organised by a small group of members opposing the branch closures. It is important to clarify that this gathering was not called by the Board of Directors of Connect Credit Union and does not represent the collective interests or voices of our entire membership.
"All decisions regarding the closures have been made following proper procedures, and the board remains committed to acting in the best interests of the Credit Union as a whole."
Ms Comyn said: "There were well over 300 people in the room, and the general feeling was the Board of Management of Connect had treated them with a lack of respect when they closed the Clogherhead and Kilsaran branches without any prior consultation.
"The very first member of Kilsaran 60 years ago was present and he said it was a very sad day for local people to see what should be a community resource, taken from members in such a terrible way."
A vote of No Confidence in the Connect Board of Management was passed by a majority of 205 votes to nine.
The vote to reverse the decision to close the Clogherhead branch was passed by 212 votes to two, and the Kilsaran branch unanimously by 214 votes.
There was another vote passed to ensure the Board of Management consulted all members prior to making any decisions about branch closures.
Paul Johnstone chaired the Special General Meeting and told Ms Comyn there had been no consultation with the community and little notice of the decision.
“He said the reasons given are reducing footfall and the migration of business to mobile apps, but he told me the footfall reduced when they closed the branch at its busy times and yet caller numbers have climbed steadily,” said Ms Comyn.