O’BRIEN SUBMITS RELOCATION OF BLACKPOOL POST OFFICE FOR TOPICAL ISSUES DEBATE IN DÁIL.

O’BRIEN SUBMITS RELOCATION OF BLACKPOOL POST OFFICE FOR TOPICAL ISSUES DEBATE IN DÁIL. Deputy Jonathan O’Brien has submitted the imminent relocation of Blackpool Post Office and the implications arising from this decision as an issue for topical issue debate in the Dáil. The Sinn Féin TD for Cork North-Central said: “I have notified the Ceann Comhairle that I want to raise the issue of Blackpool Post Office for debate in the Dáil tomorrow evening. It is now up to him to select the topic so that this matter is given the time it deserves at national level. I should know by lunchtime tomorrow if the issue has been selected.” “The move to relocate the post office is an extremely bad decision for Blackpool village and the people of the community it serves. It has been and still is a focal point for many. This move will make it more difficult for the elderly to access the post office and its loss will be detrimental to an area that is fighting to encourage more business into the village.” “The outcry and protests of the last number of weeks are reflective of the level of anger within the community. There is a very real and justified sense of abandonment among the people of Blackpool at the moment." “We will use the debate to push for a commitment from Minister Rabbitte to do everything in his power to ensure the retention of the post office in Blackpool Village.”

University College Cork to host annual commemoration

University College Cork to host annual commemoration The UCC Sinn Féin Martin Hurson Cumann will host it's annual commemoration on Thursday, January 10th at 6.45pm. The event, which takes place on campus every year, was started a number of years ago to commemorate thirteen IRA Volunteers who were killed during the War of Independence and who are buried on the grounds of the University. This year the oration will de delivered by North-Kerry TD, Deputy Martin Ferris. Stephen Cunningham, who is the chairperson of the Sinn Féin UCC cumann, said: "The commemoration has gone from strength to strength each year and it has become a regular fixture of the calendar, not just for republicans, but also for those with a keen interest in local history. We are inviting everybody to come along and listen to what we expect will be a very interesting speech from Martin Ferris. Martin Ferris is looking forward to speaking at the commemoration in UCC and said: "I am very eager to come to Cork and meet some of the young people attending the college. I really enjoy engaging with students and hearing what they have to say around a broad range of issue. It is an extremely testing time for third-level students so I am sure they will have a lot to say. But I am also honoured to be given the opportunity to speak in memory of these brave volunteers who gave their lives in the cause of a deeply desired freedom." The commemoration will begin at the amphitheatre in front of the student centre in U.C.C. and will proceed past the Quad, and down to gaol cross, where a wreath will be laid at the old gaol wall in honour of another IRA volunteer shot dead in 1940 by Free State forces as he attempted to aid an escape. It will then proceed to the plot in front of the science building, where the main oration will be given.

Calls for the retention of the Blackpool Post Office in Blackpool Village.

Sinn Féin Cllr. Thomas Gould calls for the retention of the Blackpool Post Office in Blackpool Village. Cllr. Thomas Gould has described today's decision by An Post, to relocate Blackpool Post to the shopping centre, as a serious blow to the Blackpool Village area. The move is scheduled for 11th Februray 2013 and the Sinn Féin representative believes that it will have a detrimental impact on the local community. Cllr. Gould said: "The current location of the Post Office ensured that people were coming into the village to utilise this and other businesses in the area. It has been a focal point for many throughout the years. For people living locally in Maddens Buildings and in Blackpool and surrounding areas they will now have to go to Blackpool Shopping Centre to avail of this service." "This move makes it harder for the elderly to access the Post Office and is also a huge loss to those living in Blackpool. The Post Office was up for tender and I am disappointed that no public consultation or consultation with the local community or community organisations took place before the decision was taken to relocate the Post Office. " "At a time when we are trying to encourage more business into Blackpool Village, the loss of the Post Office is detrimental to the area." ENDS