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03 Apr 2026
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03 Apr 2026
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The Bank of Ireland in Mountrath now shut down.
A Laois councillor is thinking outside the box to find accommodation for the thousands of Ukrainian war refugees coming to Ireland.
Up to 40,000 refugees fleeing the Russian war on Ukraine are expected in Ireland by the end of April.
Fianna Fáil Cllr Padraig Fleming suggests that the banks closed by Bank of Ireland could be temporary homes.
There were three branches closed in Laois 12 months ago, in Mountrath, Durrow and Mountrath. Ulster Bank is also set to close all of its Republic of Ireland branches but not until the summer.
Cllr Fleming will table a motion to Laois County Council's March meeting on Monday March 28 with his proposal.
"That Laois County Council in view of the devastating consequences of the war in Ukraine calls on the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and the Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien to urgently request all of the banks who closed their branches and which are currently vacant to make them immediately available for emergency accommodation for refugees from Ukraine".
Laois County Council will also hear an update on the 'Ukrainian situation' at their monthly meeting.
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