Ferbanes aviva stadium protest deferred

The Ferbane Bank Action Group has agreed to defer its planned protest at the Ireland Vs France rugby match in Dublin following negotiations with Ulster Bank this evening. 

Campaigners from West Offaly had planned to protest on approach routes to the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday over the proposed closure of the only bank in Ferbane. 

Ulster Bank announced plans to close its Ferbane branch along with 13 others nationwide late last year. The campaigners, who recently held public protests in Ferbane and Athlone, claim the bank had previously given a commitment to keep the branch open. 

They had planned to protest on all approach routes to the Aviva Stadium in Dublin this Saturday. The event was targeted because Royal Bank of Scotland(RBS), Ulster Bank's parent company, sponsor the event.

A spokesman for the action group said an agreement was made to defer the protest in recent hours. The decision was taken on the basis that further negotiations would take place with Ulster Bank officials.

A public meeting will be held in Ferbane next week to inform West Offaly residents of developments. The Ferbane Bank Action Group has said a protest will take place at the next Ireland home game if talks fail.