Johnstown PO will mean loss of Balrath

A Fianna Fail TD has expressed disappointment at An Post’s proposals to close Balrath Post Office and relocate it to Johnstown with no replacement offered in the Kentstown/Balrath area. Meath East TD Thomas Byrne is calling on An Post keep a post office in the Balrath/Kentstown area, and said that several local businesses have been put forward to continue with the post office locally. However, according to a spokesperson for An Post, there are no plans to open keep a post office in the Balrath/Kentstown area, once the new post office at Johnstown opens. Angus Laverty of An Post said the post office at Balrath was due to close following the death of the postmistress, and that when the opportunity arose, they looked at the best way to service the community. In this case, it was felt opening an office in Johnstown was a good solution for the general population. “The post office at Balrath was due to close, and we were presented with the opportunity to look at the way the general population in Kentstown, Balrath and Johnstown are served and a pressing case was made for a post office in Johnstown, given the way the population has grown there,” he said. Mr Laverty said that, rather than replace the existing office in Balrath, which they didn’t think was practical, it was decided to open a new post office in Johnstown where a compelling case was made for the need for such a facility. “We decided to open a new office in Johnstown and we will keep the Balrath office open until then. We have no plans to do anything other this,” he added. An Post is currently working on securing a location and a contractor to run the post office in Johnstown, a process which is likely to take a number of months. The post office at Balrath will remain open until the new post office opens in Johnstown. However, Deputy Byrne has said that the loss of a post office in the Balrath area will severely inconvenience local residents. He said: “While I agree that the people of Johnstown need a post office, to close one down in the Balrath area will severely inconvenience local residents. The post office is a crucial local service and many businesses in the area depend on it. This would also pose a great difficulty for many of the older residents of the area who rely on the local office.” The FF TD added that the post office in Balrath enjoyed a very good business and several local businesses have been suggested as locations to continue with the post office service locally. “I am calling on An Post to reconsider this matter urgently and to agree to continue a post office in the Kentstown/Balrath area. This matter is of great importance to my constituents and I am making it a priority,” added Deputy Byrne.