This newspaper has endured through the Rising, wars, civil wars, and more recently the Covid pandemic – the paper believes the decision jeopardises its ability to distribute print editions and manage core operations, despite having already paid for a full year of postal collection.
In an email to the newspaper, An Post’s billing unit said it had attempted to put collection arrangements in place following the move, but that all collection services in Dublin 2 are “at capacity”.
“My apologies for the delay replying as our Team were trying to get collection service put in place for you at the new address,” the email states. “Unfortunately, all our collection services in Dublin 2 are at capacity and we are unable to take on any additional services to what is in place.”
An Post said it would cancel the invoice connected to the service, which had been paid for the year. The correspondence is signed by John Barry of An Post’s Fee Billing Unit, based at the EXO Building on North Wall Quay.
Garry O’Sullivan, Managing Editor of The Irish Catholic, said the
refusal to provide collection, after payment had been made, creates an
immediate operational risk for a small, long-established print title
reliant on dependable
logistics.
“Just to be told by An Post that our newspaper, which has existed since 1888, cannot be collected in Dublin 2 where we moved recently, despite us having paid for postal collection for the year is shocking,” Mr O’Sullivan said. “An Post complaining about profits, and yet they are turning away existing business customers? Makes no sense and to do this to a newspaper that serves a minority is profoundly undemocratic.”
The publication is now seeking an urgent resolution, warning that disruption to collection and dispatch can directly affect delivery schedules, subscriber confidence, and the commercial viability of the business, which employs ten.