An Post deliveries affected by anti-social behaviour

AN Post has said it is not possible to say when full postal services will resume to the Mac Uilliam Estate in Tallaght where anti-social behaviour had necessitated the suspension of deliveries.

On Tuesday (June 25), a spokesperson for the post service said: “Our aim is to get deliveries back to normal as quickly as possible but cannot do so unless we can be assured that our staff won’t be put at risk.”

It follows a number of incidents involving “threats to the safety and security of staff” the previous week.

Responding to the confirmation from An Post that postal services including the delivery of mail have been suspended in the Mac Uilliam housing estate, local TD and Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Dublin, John Lahart said on Friday (June 21): “It is hugely disappointing that An Post have been left with no alternative but to suspend their services in Mac Ulliam as a consequence of the terrible, anti-social actions of few.

“Why anyone would threaten or lash out towards any member of staff simply going about their job and delivering mail to residents in the estate, is utterly beyond me. There is no explanation for any of the appalling behaviour that An Post employees have been forced to endure as of late. 

“It’s a real shame that many of the households affected who don’t have the capacity to travel to the Square industrial complex to pick up their mail will have to go without it or make alternative arrangements.

Deputy Lahart added: “Those involved in these incidents could not care less for their neighbours or their community and are certainly unfazed about the hassle or distress that they are causing.

“No one should be made to feel afraid or under threat when providing a very important public service and serving their community.”

Last week An Post thanked local community leaders and gardai for their cooperation that allowed a full delivery to the estate on Tuesday.

“An Post have been forced to suspend mail services to the Mac Uilliam Estate in Tallaght following a number of incidents involving threats to the safety and security of staff,” they said in a statment.

“Accordingly, we have suspended mail deliveries and have made arrangements for customers to pick up their mail at An Post’s Dublin 24 Delivery Service Unit.

“This morning we have informed customers in the area of what is happening and why and also provided them 
with details of the alternatives we have put in place.”

We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers and hope to resume deliveries as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Figures obtained by Fianna Fáil in April revealed that public order offences and other social code offences increased in the area by almost 30 per cent in 2018.

Despite this, there were 88 fewer gardaí policing in the district now than in 2010, the party claimed.

Local Fianna Fáil South Dublin Cllr, Charlie O’Connor, commented at the time: “It won’t come as much of a shock to locals that statistics have shown a rise in a number of crimes in our area.

“Residents living in Tallaght have been forced to endure all sorts of hassle – whether it’s been attacks on supermarket delivery drivers dropping groceries or suspended Dublin Bus services due to anti-social behaviour. 

“The illegal use of scramblers and quad bikes continue to pose danger to public safety but with 88 fewer gardaí, it’s no wonder that people are frustrated and don’t feel protected without a visible Garda presence. 

“Garda resources in our county are clearly not strong enough to deter and prevent criminality or anti-social behaviour.

“More and more incidents are taking place each week and rather than face it or feel intimated, residents choose to stay indoors.

“Tallaght is a densely populated urban town that has so much to offer. The ordinary, law abiding residents that call it 
home should not have to put up with disorder.”