Community “concerned” about proposed An Post super hub says Flanagan

Fine Gael councillor Declan Flanagan has said that Artane-Whitehall residents are “concerned” about the proposed merger of three local post offices.

In last week’s lead story in the Northside People, Dublin Bay North TDs Tom Brabazon and Barry Heneghan said that a planned relocation of a sorting office from Harmonstown to Finglas was “daft.”

Flanagan, councillor for Artane-Whitehall, said that the local community has “very valid concerns” about the merger.

He said he did not agree with Finglas, Whitehall and Harmonstown delivery service offices going up for sale to allow for one super hub.

“While there may be operational efficiencies behind this decision, we believe the broader impact on local communities has not been fully considered. The closure or consolidation of local post offices will significantly affect residents across multiple areas who rely on these services for everyday needs,” he said.

Flanagan said that accessiblity was a primary concern among local residents.

“Many people—particularly older residents, those with limited mobility, and individuals without access to a car—depend on nearby post offices. Requiring them to travel further to Finglas will create unnecessary hardship, especially if they miss a delivery and must make an additional journey to collect items.”

Flangan noted, “in addition, concentrating services into a single hub is likely to increase traffic congestion in the Finglas area, placing further strain on local infrastructure and potentially impacting air quality and road safety.”

“Beyond logistics, local post offices are an important part of the social fabric of communities. Their loss would reduce local footfall, weaken community connections, and negatively affect nearby small businesses,” he said.

Flanagan said that a meeting between local residents and An Post was needed, and that An Post should reverse their plan.

A petition by independent TD Barry Heneghan to reverse the changes has reached over 1,200 signatures on change.org.