Galway campaign to save rural post offices

A national campaign group which has been set up to save post offices across rural Ireland from closure is set to hold its first public meeting in Ballinasloe on Monday night.

Organisers believe that a nationwide campaign to save over 550 post offices which are believed to be under threat would be far more effective than smaller protests to save individual branches across the country.

Spokesman Michael John Kilgannon said it is hoped that the meeting at Gullane’s Hotel on Monday (8.30pm) will see the formation of a steering committee which will coordinate protest campaigns throughout the State.

“Rural Ireland is being devastated with the closure of shops, pubs, bank branches and Garda Stations in many towns and villages,” said Mr Kilgannon, a former County Councillor.

“While we have seen campaigns to save post offices in places such as Barnaderg and Cappataggle, our aim is to get as many people as possible together and to link up with protests all over the country.”

He said the new group would be known as the National Post Office Users Association. Postmasters would not be involved, as the campaign would be led by service users.

“We are looking to restore services so that post offices become viable businesses,” said Mr Kilgannon. “Our objective is to put pressure on the Government and An Post to preserve the post office network across rural Ireland. It is a critical issue.”

Earlier this year, consultants Grant Thornton predicted that 557 branches across the country could close their doors if An Post lost the Department of Social Protection contract to pay out pensions, social welfare and children’s allowances.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.