OVER 1,000 people have signed a petition calling on the government not to close their local Post Office in The Duffry, after suggestions were made nationally that smaller offices could face closure.

Cllr. John O’Rourke, a regular user of that Post Office, started the petition and is continuing to seek signatures in the coming days. The petition will be inside the door of the office and Cllr. O’Rourke said that he would also be on the streets, asking people to sign.

Between 2,500 and 4,000 people use the Post Office on a weekly basis, according to Cllr. O’Rourke and he believed that closing the smaller offices would “rip the heart of the community”, adding that locals were used to the familiar face behind the counter and a chat.

“They’re now going to be forced into a situation where they tap their details into a machine and that’s not acceptable. I’m calling on the whole of Enniscorthy and Wexford to say ‘no’ to this plan to close 600 post offices.”

He believed that the Duffry office would definitely be close if the plan was carried out. His aim is to collect up to 5,000 signatures on the petition which he would then present to Minister Paul Kehoe.

“The people have had enough, they can’t take anymore.”