Postal agency to return shortly at Blueball

An Post has confirmed that Department of Social Protection payments will return shortly at Doolan’s Service Station in Blueball.

An Post told the Offaly Independent that though it couldn’t give an exact timeline it hoped that the service would resume in two to three weeks.

The statement comes in the wake of considerable public disquiet over the loss of the postal agency at Blueball in recent months.

An Post explained that an upgrade to the telecoms infrastructure around Blueball had effectively knocked out the systems which enabled payments to be made at the postal agency.

The company said that it had trialled a new system in another post office and is now working to install this technology in a number of locations including Blueball.

“We appreciate that this has been very frustrating for our customers in Blueball and for the store owner Mr. Doolan. We also appreciate that this has caused very real inconvenience to many,” it said.

Responding to an update from An Post, Deputy Carol Nolan welcomed confirmation that work is underway to restore Department of Social Protection payment services at Blueball, while stressing that local people have already endured far too much disruption and inconvenience.

Deputy Nolan said she had sought an urgent update from An Post following ongoing concerns from residents in Blueball and the surrounding communities of Killeigh, Killoughey, Mucklagh and Rahan, many of whom have been forced to travel to Tullamore to collect their weekly payments since the service was interrupted:

Deputy Nolan said she had repeatedly raised the issue after local residents expressed growing frustration that a previously promised solution had not materialised.

"In my representations to An Post, I highlighted the difficulties being experienced by pensioners and other payment recipients, particularly older people living alone or those without access to private transport. For many, the loss of this local service has created a genuine hardship."

"Importantly, An Post has now advised me that a new system has been successfully trialled elsewhere and that installation of the required technology is now being rolled out to a number of locations, including Blueball."

"I want to acknowledge the efforts of local residents who continued to raise this matter and to thank the management of the Blueball store for their engagement throughout the process."

"I will remain in contact with An Post and will continue to press for the earliest possible restoration of the service. Rural communities cannot afford to lose local services, particularly services which are relied upon by older people and those who are most vulnerable,” Deputy Nolan concluded.

Fine Gael TD for Offaly John Clendennen also welcomed the news stating that he had been working closely with Cllr Neil Feighery and in regular contact with An Post.

Speaking following a meeting with representatives from An Post on Friday, Deputy Clendennen said the latest update represents positive progress towards restoring this important local service.

“An Post has confirmed that a new technical solution has been successfully trialled in Hollywood, County Wicklow, and that Blueball is the next location scheduled to benefit from its installation.

“While a firm date has not yet been confirmed, the expectation is that services will be restored within the next two to three weeks.”

Deputy Clendennen acknowledged the inconvenience experienced by customers and the impact on the local business.

“For many people, particularly older residents and those without easy access to transport, having these services available locally is extremely important.

“I fully appreciate the inconvenience this has caused, and I want to acknowledge the patience of everyone affected throughout this period.

“While the technical challenges have taken time to resolve, I welcome the progress made by An Post and the prioritisation of Blueball for the installation of the new system.

In the Dáil on Thursday, Fianna Fáil TD Tony McCormack strongly criticised An Post following what he said was yet another delay in restoring postal services at Doolan's Service Station in Blueball

"This is an incredibly busy An Post agency that has been serving the people of Blueball and the surrounding communities for over 20 years. It provides an essential service, particularly for older people and those living in rural areas.

"I have raised this issue repeatedly in the Dáil, written numerous letters and made countless phone calls in an effort to get it resolved. Every time we appear to be making progress, another delay is announced.

"Quite frankly, I have had enough of the excuses, and so have the people of Blueball,” he said, prior to An Post’s update later that week.

Deputy McCormack explained that the difficulties began after the broadband systems at Doolan's Service Station were upgraded to fibre optic in December 2025.

"Imagine this. We are encouraging businesses across Ireland to upgrade to modern, high-speed broadband, yet An Post apparently cannot provide the equipment needed to operate its services on the upgraded system.

Deputy McCormack also revealed his anger at comments he said were made by an An Post employee to the owner of Doolan's Service Station.

“To add insult to injury, an An Post employee told the owner he did not have a politician shouting loudly enough. If that is how An Post wants to do business I will shout and I will not stop shouting until this situation is resolved,” he said in the Dáil.

An Post declined to comment on the claim.

Deputy McCormack stressed that the continued absence of the service is particularly difficult for older people, pensioners and those who depend on local postal facilities.

"For many older people, their local An Post agent is much more than somewhere to collect a pension or carry out a transaction. It is part of their weekly routine, a familiar face and an important connection to their community.

"Many people in rural areas do not have access to transport and should not have to travel to another town to access services that were previously available on their doorstep."