DETERMINED BID TO SAVE POST OFFICE SERVICE IN KILWORTH
Semi-state bodies are not known for acting swiftly, traditionally layers of bureaucratic procedure have to be gone through before any decision takes effect. This being the accepted norm, it came as quite a shock to the people of Kilworth when An Post terminated the village’s post office service within the space of a few days.
The decision of postmaster, Tony O’Flynn, to retire on health grounds presented An Post with an opportunity which they seized in double quick time.
Before the full impact of Mr O’Flynn’s retirement could be worked through, the ‘Oifig an Phoist Cill Uird’ sign was whisked away and with it a valuable service that facilitated social welfare recipients, parents and pensioners – just some of the groups affected.
POSITIVE SUGGESTIONS
A public meeting to discuss fallout from the closure and initiate ways of reinstating the service took place in Kilworth Community Centre last Thursday night – approximately 80 people attended.
Under the chairmanship of Jim Nash the meeting confined itself to positive suggestions in a bid to get An Post to reverse its decision.
An Post have agreed to meet a delegation from Kilworth to discuss the closure and when this takes place community representatives will present a cogent case for re-opening the post office.
SUPPORTING THE CAUSE
Politicians in attendance included TDs, Ned O’Keeffe and Sean Sherlock, along with councillors, Noel McCarthy, Kevin O’Keeffe, Tom Barry and Pa O’Driscoll. All pledged to do what they could to assist locals.
Mitchelstown community activist, Timmy ‘Rancher’ White also lent his support to the cause. Constructive contributions from the floor advised the delegation to be extremely well prepared for their meeting with An Post and to be concise and focused in their presentation.
Proposed tactics included maintaining a high media profile, organising a petition, staging pickets and lobbying public representatives extensively – those canvassing in Kilworth can expect the closure to be a key factor in how people will vote.
SECURITY REASONS
From An Post’s point of view the closure is justified on the grounds of Kilworth’s proximity to Fermoy – they also cite ‘security reasons’.
These arguments ring very hollow with people in Kilworth who had nothing only praise for the way postmaster Tony O’Flynn and his staff operated the busy post office.
When the security argument was raised, one member of the public wryly observed that Kilworth was deemed a perfect location for a jail but completely unsuited to accommodating a post office.
Published:
Thursday 27th January 5:45pm
