An Post have today confirmed fears among locals in Gweedore that the potential threat of closure of the post office in Bunbeg now looks imminent.
Gweedore, community activist and Sinn Féin local election candidate, John Sheamais O’Fearraigh said the threatened closure was another in a plethora of cuts in critical services faced by the rural parish over the past number of years.
Mr O Fearraigh said, “An Post is considering the future service provision needs at Bunbeg.
This could include the closure of the office” following the retirement of the local postmistress who has served the community very well in her position for over thirty years.
“An Post confirmed that a notice to the effect will be posted in Bunbeg and the other local post office within a number of days.
“The inquiries came after locals contacted the local Sinn Féin office with concerns that no plans have been put in place at a national level to deal with the retirement of the postmistress.
There were fears that it could be used as an opportunity to reduce or remove the service.
“In my view, it is not acceptable that the closure of such a service, which represents a further attack on this rural community.
“With minimal consultation with the local stakeholders who have already witnessed severe cuts to a number of state services in recent years.
“For example, in the past six years, this parish has seen the closure of a number of post offices including those located in Ranafast, Gweedore, Crolly and Minlaragh.
“Meanwhile, banking services such as AIB and National Irish Bank have also been removed from the area, meaning that the local post office has become even more important.
“As a location whereby people can carry out daily financial transactions such as paying household bills, makimg lodgements into a savings accounts and receiving social welfare payments.
“While there will be a facility available for interested parties to make a submission to An Post.
“I am calling on An Post to ensure a full public consultation is carried out the views of local people are taken fully into account prior to making any decision.
“I am encouraging local people, particularly those who live in areas that have already had their post office removed, to make use of this facility and submit their views to An Post before the deadline of 14th February.