Closure of post offices

Sir, – The closure of post offices will give a new meaning to the postal vote in the next general election. – Yours, etc,

DAVID MURNANE,

Dunshaughlin,

Co Meath.

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Sir, – I have a lot of sympathy for those in rural Ireland who are seeking to retain the vibrancy of their communities and in particular the retention of local post offices. However the suggestion that An Post’s actions do not impact on Dublin is not borne out by the facts.

In my own electoral area alone we have seen, among others, closure of post offices in Sandymount, Pearse Street, Donnybrook, Ringsend, Clare Street and South Anne Street. There have been more. The real problem in Ireland now is not individual withdrawal of public services but the simple fact that more and more State services are unaccountable to the public and public representatives. Sadly the vast majority of national politicians have voted for that. – Yours, etc,

Cllr DERMOT LACEY,

(Labour),

Donnybrook,

Dublin 4.

Sir, – The public is up in arms over the closure of post offices.

Our village once had three pubs, two groceries, a butcher, a Garda station and a post office, and all this before a huge speculative building spree of new houses and an increase in population. We now are down to one pub and a hotel catering for passing traffic.

What the closed businesses did not have was the loyalty or custom of the locals. Businesses need support year round if they are to survive, and it is useless and too late to kick up a fuss when the harm is done. – Yours, etc,

JOHN K ROGERS,

Rathowen,

Co Westmeath.