A large crowd gathered in Gurteen yesterday evening for the closure of the post office in the village.
The plan to close the post office had been met with fierce resistance from the community, which had a strong local campaign to retain the service.
However despite this campaign, at close of business yesterday the final transaction was made.
Post Mistress Mary Murphy, who was due to retire last year, had stayed on in the hope that An Post would reverse it’s decision.
Speaking to our reporter Therese Madden she says she never would have imagined the post office would close permanently.
From older members of the community to the younger generation, they all expressed their sadness about the occasion.
The Save Gurteen Post Office Group say it has had correspondence from the Taoiseach’s office yesterday to say he has been in contact with An Post regarding their campaign.
The letter states that the CEO of An Post David McRedmond has reassured the Taoiseach that he will enter into dialogue with the group.
The post office closed its door’s yesterday evening which was an emotional occasion for all those who had gathered to say farewell to Post Mistress Mary Murphy who has retired.
Speaking to our reporter Therese Madden business owner and campaigner Fiona Tansey says they are still optimist.
The Parish Priest in Gurteen is describing the closure of the post office in the south Sligo village as a death in the community.
Fr Joe Caufield has been the Parish Priest in the area for the last nine years.
