IT’S been revealed that a busy Northside post office that has been closed since the death of its well-known postmistress may never open again.
Santry Post Office closed on August 7 following the death of controversial Catholic campaigner, MÃne Bean UÃ ChribÃn, who was widely respected and held in high regard by many locals.
The postmistress began working in Santry Post Office as an assistant to her father who was postmaster in 1954. On his death in 1963 she became postmistress and remained in her position until her death at the age of 84.
Local councillor Paul McAuliffe (FF) last week urged An Post to prioritise the appointment of a new postmaster and to reopen the post office on Santry Avenue, which closed a month ago.
“Local residents in Ballymun, Shanliss, Oldtown and other parts of Santry have had no service since the Santry Avenue office closed following the death of the postmistress,
? he stated.
“The area has experienced a huge increase in population in recent years and a failure to replace the service would leave residents and businesses without a service.
?
But according to a spokesperson for An Post, the company is currently considering the permanent cessation of provision of post office services at Santry Post Office.
“However, before taking any decision, interested parties are invited to submit their views on the matter no later than September 18,
? the spokesperson told Northside People.
To make a decision on the matter, An Post will take into consideration network coverage needs, the level of business at the office, the distance to alternative offices and the capacity of neighbouring offices to handle business if the office closes.
Any views received from members of the public and businesses will also be taken into consideration.
In the interim, customers of the former Santry Post Office are being catered for at Omni Park Post Office, which is around half a mile from the Santry branch.
Bean UÃ ChribÃn, who was a religious campaigner, community worker, foster parent, Gaelgeoir and Irish culture proponent, was laid to rest on Friday, August 11.
She was a deeply devout Catholic and activist who campaigned tirelessly during the divisive divorce and abortion referenda.
She was also a lifelong critic of the feminist movement and a staunch republican.
She first came to prominence in 1980 when, along with a group of like-minded women, she set up the Irish Housewives’ Union (IHU) which she said at the time was established to
“protect the mother in the home
?.
In 1994, she insisted that Scoil Paipin Naofa, a national school established on land owned by her, teach the traditional Catholicism of the Tridentines, which involves the Mass being celebrated in Latin. That row led to many parents withdrawing their children from the school.
MÃne Bean UÃ ChribÃn is survived by her children Gearoid, Aine, Colm, Ide and Una. Her husband Gus and a son, MÃcheal, predeceased her.