Kilmoyley to retain its Post Office

AN POST AWARDS A NEW CONTRACT FOR LERRIG PO ON SIX-MONTH TRIAL

FEARS for the future of the post office in Kilmoyley have been allayed by news that An Post is to award a new contract to the incoming owners of the business in which it is located.

Locals reacted furiously last month when An Post warned the local post office - in Lerrig Stores - was facing potential closure.

An Post said it was considering the future of its outlet at Lerrig, prompted by the sale of the shop from retiring postmistress Avita O’Halloran to local couple John and Martina O’Sullivan.

However, Fine Gael politicians Brendan Griffin and Aoife Thornton informed The Kerryman on Tuesday that An Post is to issue a six-month trial contract for the post office to the O’Sullivans.

It’s welcome news for the community which holds the post office vital to their lives, using it to draw down pension payments, conduct banking business with AIB, pay TV and dog licences and much more.

“An Post is considering the future post office service provision at Kilmoyley which could include the permanent closure of the office,” An Post warned locals a fortnight ago.

Incoming owner John O’Sullivan described the warning as a ‘ kick in the teeth’ to his plans for a business that would have had the office as a lynchpin service.

An Post Public Affairs Manager Angus Laverty told The Kerryman that the service would consider the views of the public under the consultation process An Post had decided to enter into.

It would appear that Kilmoyley made its view crystal clear with the welcome news this week that the post office is getting a reprieve - albeit on a trial basis for six months initially.

Lixnaw-native Fine Gael County Councillor Thornton, who attended the recent protest with a number of other local politicians, welcomed the decision as a positive step. “It’s fantastic news in that it shows An Post is considering the future of the post office in Kilmoyley and the views of the community.

“They recognise the fact that John has good intentions for the business and service going in there.”

Fine Gael Kerry Deputy Brendan Griffin informed The Kerryman that An Post would review the new contract at the end of the six-month period.

“Numerous submissions were made to An Post in support of the retention of the facility and An Post is now to issue the six-month contract with a view to reviewing the contract again later this year,” he said.

He ‘cautiously’ welcomed the news this week, describing it as a ‘stepping stone’:

“This six-month contract gives the new owners a chance to build the business and prove the viability of the Post Office in Kilmoyley. While I would have much preferred to have seen a long-term commitment to Kilmoyley Post Office from An Post at this point, this development is a stepping stone and gives the local community and the owners of the Post Office an opportunity to build the business and strengthen the case for the retention of the facility in advance of the further review.”

Locals outside the Kilmoyley Post Office at Lerrig Cross during the recent protest over the threat to its future. The community welcomed news this week it is to stay open for at least six months.