Accusing An Post of ignoring and bullying the local community, the Kilflynn and Lixnaw action group has warned the company to expect further action if it continues in its "intransigence" in the matter.

The dispute has crippled postal deliveries in the area for over a month with over 100 locals from Kilflynn and Lixnaw protesting outside the post office against the transfer of local postman, Thomas Foley, to Tralee.

According to action group spokesman, Gerard White, informal negotiations with An Post had led to new hope in the community that a solution could be found. However, the initial hope failed to materialise as An Post claimed the proposal would be unworkable.

It is a decision that has angered the local community which feels the company was just stringing them along with false promises.

"When asked what methodology was used in arriving at this decision, we were told that the inspector had studied some maps in his Cork office," Mr White revealed.

"It appears that they simply went through the motions and were not serious in their intent. "The community representatives left the meeting empty handed," he added.

Residents had suspended their protest to allow for meetings to take place but now the locals are vowing to dig their heels in to ensure their local postman stays. "An Post hardened their position and essentially reverted to their initial position – that their appointment was made and that was that," Mr White claimed. "The community remains convinced that the alternative route is feasible.

"It emerged at the meeting that Thomas Foley’s mileage for his route in Kilflynn/ Lixnaw is one hundred miles. This we know to be twice the mileage that is normal for a rural post route," he added.

The community has pledged to continue the fight and resolve in the North Kerry is strengthening. "People in the local community are furious with An Post because they feel that their needs and viewpoint as customers of the company have been dismissed out of hand," said the spokesman.