The post offices of Knocknagoshel and Gneeveguilla are the most recent of their kind in the news and for the worst possible reason.
In spite of protests and politicians and offers of alternatives within the areas concerned, An Post and its bord snip have decided to cut these areas adrift and let them fend for themselves.
However, in Knocknagoshel, Kieran McAuliffe has installed services in his village based XL store that will take the sting out of the loss for many in the locality.
Kieran’s New Services
Kieran has attached a letter from An Post confirming the village Post Office will close at the end of 2018 and thus, heartlessly leaving yet another rural community high and dry.
Kieran explains that a local committee was set up about a month ago and that was tasked with asking the review committee to re-examine the closure decision made by An Post.
Correct Protocol
“The letter states that An Post went by the correct protocol and that the post office will be closed in spite of our pleas to retain the service for the area,” said Kieran.
In an effort to halt the decline in rural services, Kieran is being proactive in that he has installed an ATM in his Kieran’s XL store in the village.
“We also have payzone and postpoint in the shop which means you can pay all your bills; utility etc and renew your tv license, pay your council rent and we sell stamps. A post box will be located outside the shop in the new year,” said a defiant Kieran.
Representations by Danny Healy Rae
“Further to my representations on behalf of the people of Knocknagoshel and Gneeveguilla in an effort to retain Post Office services in these areas, I received the attached letters from An Post. The decision has been made to move the services for Knocknagoshel Post Office to Abbeyfeale which is in the neighbouring County of Limerick and Gneeveguilla Post Office services will be moved to Rathmore.
I am very disappointed on behalf of the people of both Communities that despite my best efforts the decision by An Post remains:
Knocknagoshel Post Office
From 1st Feb 2019 all Social Welfare and AddressPal services currently available from Knocknagoshel Post Office will be transferred to Abbeyfeale Post Office (7.3KM from Knocknagoshel)
Gneeveguilla Post Office
From 1st Feb 2019 all Social Welfare and AddressPal services currently available from Gneeveguilla Post Office will be transferred to Rathmore Post Office (6.3KM from Gneeveguilla)
I will continue to raise this matter with the Government and Minister Richard Bruton, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action & Environment,” said Deputy Healy Rae.
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