Two-year reprieve for rural PO

A TENACIOUS community and political campaign to save Glencar Post Office has paid off.

KillarneyToday.com can reveal that An Post is to put a contract out to public tender to run the facility for an initial period of two years.

The controversy followed the recent passing of postmistress, Sheila O’Sullivan, who provided an essential service to the locality for 16 years and whose family wants to keep the post office open.

But An Post indicated that it was not sure if it was still viable to keep the rural post office open and deferred a decision until observations and submissions had been received.

The public consultation on the matter ended on February 23 by which stage the local community in Glencar had made its views known in no uncertain terms.

The issue had been raised in the Dáil by Deputy John Brassil who described the proposed closure as a contradiction in government policy of working towards advancing economic and social progress by creating jobs and promoting rural development.

“Trying to close Glencar Post Office flies in the face of this policy,” he had said.

In a statement issued to KillarneyToday.com this afternoon, Deputy Brassil said: “The two-year contract is a positive move and one which, I believe, will be grasped by the local community to show their connection to having a local post office.

“While it’s a short-term measure at present, I believe, that it can lead to a long term solution for the people of Glencar”.

The decision was also welcomed by Deputy Danny HeaIy-Rae who remarked: “I am very glad to have been involved in this campaign for the people of Glencar”.