Carrickmacross and Castleblayney councillors have hit out at AIB for its now-scrapped plans to turn 70 branches into cashless outlets.
The Carrickmacross and Castleblayney branches were among the 70 that were due to become cashless, but AIB reversed the decision after widespread outrage among politicians and the public.
Speaking at yesterday's MD meeting, Cllr PJ O'Hanlon said the people who decided that these branches should become cashless "think they are untouchable".
He added that it was "shocking" to watch adverts during the recent All-Ireland Football Final about "how much AIB is doing for the rural community, when it is trying to shut rural Ireland down".
Cllr O'Hanlon also expressed concern over reports in The Irish Independent that Paschal Donohoe's Department of Finance knew about the bank's cashless plans beforehand.
Meanwhile, Colm Carthy said "we need to ensure cash services remain in the future" and that people shouldn't be "forced away from cash".
Elsewhere, Noel Keelan labelled it a "cynical ploy".
He warned that AIB "will try this again" and called on TDs to "keep a close eye on this".
Cllr Aoife McCooey said people were "outraged" over the plans.
And while she voiced concern that AIB would "chance their arm again", she added that "we will fight this again".
Chair of the MD, Aidan Campbell, said the now-scrapped plans revealed that the "banks have no social conscience".
