Local post office is set to close

AN POST is proposing to close the Finglas East Post Office in the Spar shop on Glasnevin Avenue next month.

It’s planned to move customers who collect social welfare payments to a yet-to-be determined post office in the area and later give them the option to transfer to another one of their choice.

It’s understood the local postmistress has told An Post that she wishes to resign and the proposed closure is not related to recent claims by postmasters that 400 post offices around the country are to be shut down.

However, local Dublin North West TD has described the proposal as “unacceptable” and has vowed to fight the plans.

“I will be leading a significant campaign to oppose this closure,” he told Northside People.

“It is a nonsensical and opportunist approach to closing post offices regardless of how well they're doing, and it simply makes no sense.”

“I have received a number of calls relating to the closure and residents are worried about services being moved across the area.”

“I will be fighting this proposal tooth and nail – and would urge people to join the campaign on this.”

Deputy Rock is calling on An Post to acknowledge the need for the local service to remain 

in the area and says closing the post office will have a knock-on effect for local residents.

However, An Post officials have pointed out that the area is already served by a number of other post offices at Clearwater, Finglas Village and Ballygall Road.

“Not all residents, including those of the older generation, are able to travel far distances to either use the postal services provided to collect social welfare payments including pensions,” said Deputy Rock.

“I am certain that another local shop would be more than suitable to take over the postal services which are for residents in the Finglas East catchment area.”

The Fine Gael TD has raised the issue with Minister for Communications, Denis Naughton.

“I believe it is crucial that the Minister is aware of the facts,” he said.

“These include the fact that the Finglas East post office has one of the highest footfall figures of any of the local offices.

“The Finglas East Post Office is as safe as a post office can be, having been built from the ground up to accommodate the highest security standards. It’s no coincidence that since this rebuild, it has suffered zero robberies.

“Finally, there is interest from other parties to take over the services provided at this post office. These alone should be enough to prevent this needless closure.”

An Post intends to close Finglas East Post Office as soon as the current postmistress officially resigns next month.

“We appreciate that this will be the cause of inconvenience to a number of customers who regularly use the Finglas East Post Office but we would hope to put measures in place to ensure that they can access services in convenient offices nearby,” an official said.