A GAELTACHT community is fighting to save a local post office at Ballingeary in rural west Cork.
A 10-member group from the community will meet An Post officials to discuss what they claim is a “total attack on rural life”.
Postmaster Aidan Twomey, whose family has run the facility for over 100 years, is due to retire this month after 27 years’ service.
An Post advertised seeking tenders for a replacement agency with limited services, but to date there has been no response. Spokesman Angus Laverty confirmed the community would lose all services unless an operator for an agency service is found.
Tadhg Ó Duinnín, chairman of Ballingeary community association, said locals had not been consulted on the loss of the service, and said local business will suffer.
He said a complete loss of postal services in Ballingeary would be disastrous.
“During the recent bad weather it was impossible to travel. We can’t leave the elderly and those without transport with no access to their pensions. We have been totally disregarded here,” he said.
A website, oifigonphoist.com, has been set up to support the campaign.