Postal service resumes following talks

Residents of St Patrick's Estate in Ballina, Co Mayo, can expect the postman to deliver post to their homes this morning for …

Residents of St Patrick's Estate in Ballina, Co Mayo, can expect the postman to deliver post to their homes this morning for the first time in more than five weeks.

An Post withdrew postal services to the area last month because of the risk staff faced of being attacked by roaming dogs.

After discussions between An Post, Mayo County Council's dog warden and representatives of the local residents group, agreement was reached to restore the door-to-door delivery service on a trial basis. Fine Gael councillor Mark Winters said the resumption of the service was welcome.

"Older people were particularly badly hit by this situation. I am aware of people who missed hospital appointments and other engagements because of this problem.

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"The dog warden in Ballina has been trying for some time to get the situation of roaming dogs in the estate under control but it's not easy.

"He will be on duty over the next number of weeks in the estate in the mornings to ensure that the postman can do his job without fear of attack. It's very hard to find the owners of many of these dogs. Sometimes young children claim a dog that is found roaming by the warden and all the warden can legally do is fine the dog owner.

"I have assurances from Mayo County Council that fines will be issued and followed up on if dog owners continue to allow their dogs wander in the estate."

He added that the resumed postal service would be monitored over the next number of weeks.