Sadness as An Post refuses appeal on Aughavas Post Office closure

The appeal lodged against the closure of Aughavas Post Office has been refused.

The South Leitrim community had hoped their appeal against the closure of Aughavas Post Office would be successful. The post office closed its doors in August following the retirement of the long serving post mistress.

However the local committee set up to fight the closure, has now been informed that their appeal against the decision, has been unsuccessful.

In a post on The Aughavas Post Office Facebook page in recent days, the committee confirmed that the post office will remain closed adding: "Despite all the spin put out there by our Fianna/Gael Government, we did have a host willing to continue with the Post Office in The Dugout. However it is not to be. Thanks to all who supported our campaign and especially our local TD, Martin Kenny. This I guess is the final letter and post."

The committee were informed of the decision by An Post Head of Contractors and Retail Support, Tom O'Neill in a letter sent last week. In the letter, Mr O'Neill said: "I am sorry that the outcome of the Review might not have been what you would have hoped for but I can assure you that the matters raised by you and others concerning the provision of Post Office services in Aughavas were taken into consideration by the Independent Assessor," he said.

"On behalf of An Post I can commit to ensure that the high level of service provided by An Post to the people of Aughavas will be maintained through the alternative arrangements we have put in place following the resignation of the Postmaster.

"We will keep the effectiveness of the services that we are providing in the area under review and will work with the local community to try and address any concerns arising from the new post office service arrangements now being put in place. We are confident that these arrangements will be sufficient to meet local needs and hope that we can demonstrate this to you in the period ahead."

As of now all Social Welfare Services previously available from Aughavas Post Office will be transferred to Carrigallen Post Office, 7km away.

Other post office services can be availed of in Post Offices in Carrigallen, Mohill, Newtowngore, Arva and Ballinamore - all of which are more than 7km from the community.

All mail collection and delivery will continue as normal in the Aughavas area and some post office services will be available in The Dug Out - where Aughavas Post Office was formerly housed - including PostPoint bill payments and national lottery services.