*Tom O’Callaghan.
A CLARE POSTMASTER has warned that there could be “a tsunami is coming” regarding the potential closures of post offices across the county.
Ennis’ post office in The Market closes permanently this Thursday while Lahinch postmaster Shane Talty has confirmed he has tendered his resignation meaning the post office in the coastal town is set to close in April unless An Post receives an alternative applicant.
Since 2018, post offices in Broadford, Cree, Doonbeg, Fanore, Kilfenora and Lissycasey have all closed across the county.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Tom O’Callaghan warned, “a tsunami is coming”. The Fianna Fáil councillor who works as a postmaster believed there was a risk that half of the thirty post offices in the county were at risk of closing. He has called for increased State funding to prevent the closure of 300 post offices nationwide.
“Miltown Malbay’s closure was averted because it moved into SuperValu, eight post offices have closed in Clare in the last few years and more will come,” he cautioned. O’Callaghan said it was very worrying to see a post office close in Ennis, “an urban post office shutting down is a major problem”.
He stressed, “An Post and the Government need to come up with a viable model”. The Kildysart native pointed out that banks were “making billions” of euros and believed there was a role for the post office network to play in carrying out financial services.
O’Callaghan added, “Many postmasters will be asked to sign new contracts in 2025 but without a guarantee of Government support it will certainly put the viability of many Clare post offices at risk into the near future making it difficult for them signing in confidence”.
In May 2018, Tom through his role as Chairman of the Independent Postmasters Group raised concerns with the proposed post office commercial services contract. “390 offices were not offered this contract but rather an exit deal. We wish to put on record our grave concern over these contracts and exit deals,” their correspondence from the time flagged.
Many of the existing contracts that were signed are in place since July 1st 2018 and are approaching their renewal date.
