Renewed calls for refurbishment of post office

THERE have been renewed calls for the refurbishment of a Southside post office that has been hit by a number of armed raids.

Locals in Walkinstown say that elderly residents who use the post office on Bunting Road have been fearful of returning to the branch where various incidents have taken place in recent months.

Paul Flanagan, the chairperson of the Walkinstown and Greenhills Network, spoke to Southside People in July about local fears regarding security at the post office.

He has again called on An Post to carry out refurbishment works at the branch.

“The older people are still worried about going to the post office,

? he said.

“As well as that, if you go to the post office on Friday, which is pension day, there is no protection from the lashing rain outside and you could have a queue of up to 10, 12 or 14 people.

“It is not good for an old person’s health or the health of a person with a disability.

?

Two Labour Party councillors have also mounted a joint campaign to persuade An Post to refurbish and tighten security at the branch.

Cllr Dermot Looney noted that since the closure of the Greenhills Post Office following a fire in 2003, thousands of residents in the area have had to use the Bunting Road office for their postal services.

“This has led to further pressure on the staff and the premises itself,

? he said.

“It is particularly depressing to see large queues out the door at busy times in all weathers, particularly when so many elderly and vulnerable people need to use the post office.

“I have called on An Post to reinstate the postal service in Greenhills but in the meantime to upgrade to the Bunting Road facility or move to an appropriate and nearby facility.

?

Cllr Michael O’Sullivan (Lab) believed the existing premises on Bunting Road were unsuitable for a modern post office service.

“There are serious safety and security concerns for staff and customers which came to light in recent robberies,

? he said.

“Furthermore, the premises are too small to accommodate the large numbers who use the post office.

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A spokesperson for An Post said:

“We are aware of what happened at Bunting Road and we are trying to remedy that situation.

?