Ballycroy will fight to keep its Post Office that has served the parish for generations. That was the resounding message from a packed public meeting held in the local community hall on Monday evening.
It is unthinkable that the parish of Ballycroy would be without a post office for the first time I can ever remember. Ballycroy is a ‘stand alone’ Parish of 600 people between Bangor Erris and Mulranny.
I am delighted to see the hundreds of people gathered here tonight unified in demanding that the contract for Post Office services in Ballycroy be put out to contract under the terms and conditions of the new contract which would make it sustainable. It is grossly unfair that payment to the current postmistress were cut in July and that she was confined to the old contract which rendered the situation unviable.
I am fully supportive and will play an active part in submitting the appeal to An Post and executing the plan of action. I firmly believe that Ballycroy fulfils the criteria in three key areas:
- The nearest post office must be less that 15km away from households. Mulranny or Bangor is more than 15km away from many households in Ballycroy.
- No post offices that serve an island will be closed. Inis Bigil is the designated post office for many people living on Inis Bigil Island.
- The area must have a population of more than 500. The permanent population of Ballycroy is 600 plus the numerous visitors returning to the parish and those visiting the National Park.
The fact is that many households in Ballycroy do not have transport and cannot afford to get taxis to Bangor or Mulranny to do essential post office transactions.
For the wider community the post office is central to the life of the parish and people depend on it.
I am calling on the Minister for Rural Affairs to show that he understands the needs of communities like Ballycroy by using his government Cabinet position to ensure those making the decision to close Ballycroy Post Office see sense.
Ballycroy has been savaged by emigration, a lack of employment opportunities and even a school bus service over the years. A viable post office and reliable broadband is the least they deserve.
