Campaigners in Lissycasey say they may take legal action, after an appeal against the closure of the post office there was rejected.
They say incorrect information may have been supplied to the Independent Assessor who decided that there would be no replacement for the service that’s closing today.
Today is the final day of business for Lissycasey Post Office, after the appeal lodged by campaigners to install a replacement service in Talty’s supermarket was turned down.
In a letter seen by Clare FM, conveying the decision of the Independent Assessor, An Post said that while the closure will go ahead, a range of services would now be provided at a Postpoint in Talty’s store there.
However, there is no such Postpoint at the store.
Today, in a statement, An Post has apologised for this mistake, saying it was contained in a public notice.
They also say discussions with Talty’s about putting a Postpoint in place are ongoing but campaigners feel this incorrect information could have weakened their arguments in looking to preserve a post office
Local Fianna Fáil Councillor PJ Kelly says they may now take their case further.
For now, An Post says the closure today will go ahead as planned.
In a statement to Clare FM, it’s been confirmed that customers will be transferred to Kildysart post office and they will then have the option to transfer to other offices in the area including Kilmihil.
Long-time Lissycasey-based post office campaigner Francie Daly says it’s a sad day, and he wants Clare’s Oireachtas members to step up to the plate.
Statement from An Post
An Post has an established Protocol that is applied in all cases where an existing postmaster is retiring or otherwise ceasing the provision of Post Office services. We based our decision on the 2016 census and extensive mapping and technical data. In assessing An Post’s decision the Independent Reviewer found that An Post had acted in accordance with its own protocol in this matter.
Lissycasey post office will close today and customers will be transferred to Kildysart post office. Customers will then have the option to transfer to other offices in the area including Kilmihil.
Contacts between Postpoint and Taltys is ongoing and that this information was incorrectly contained in a public notice informing customers of the closure of the office in Lissycasey.
This is regretted by An Post and we apologise to customers.
