An Post has announced the closure of 159 post offices in rural Ireland.

Debbie Byrne, chief executive of An Post Retail, says the network of 960 post offices that will remain throughout Ireland "sufficiently meets the needs of local communities and is essential in ensuring the sustainability and viability of the post office network going forward."

But Timmy Dooley, Fianna Fáil communications spokesperson, says rural post offices are "an essential lifeline for some, particularly the vulnerable and the elderly."

"When you take that cohort of people and you force them to go to a post office 15 km away, more than likely their weekly spend will be in a shop 15 km away. There is a significant domino effect."

"It seems that there will be improved services for some and a significant loss for others, and I don't think that's fair."

Terry Keenan, vice-chairperson of the Irish Local Development Network, sees the post office closures as another attack on rural Ireland.

"Our services are being taken away gradually, and rural Ireland is being left behind. That's the reality of where we live."

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