A WEST Cork gun owner has been left frustrated and out of pocket after a rifle scope worth €5,000 he sent for repair went missing in An Post’s sorting office.

An Post offered compensation of just €160 for the optical sighting device which is mounted onto a firearm.

The man had sent it back to the UK-based manufacturers by registered post, but was recently informed by An Post that the item appears to be missing in the system.

Cllr Finbarr Harrington (Ind), who was contacted by the rifle owner, said the missing scope has understandably caused significant frustration and concern.

‘He was offered compensation of only €160 and his scope is still not accounted for. Unfortunately, there are many other reports from people experiencing similar issues,’ said Cllr Harrington.

‘Delays with An Post deliveries can disrupt business operations by slowing down the receipt of payments, contracts and important documents, which may impact cash flow, customer satisfaction and overall efficiency.’

He said reported delays in the delivery network of An Post are currently causing significant disruption for many businesses that rely on timely parcel services.

‘Much of the problem appears to stem from congestion and operational issues at parcel sorting depots where packages can remain for several days before being processed for delivery,’ he said.

Cllr Harrington said that small and online retailers are particularly affected, as delays can lead to cancelled orders, negative reviews and increased costs when they are forced to used alternative courier services.

‘These ongoing issues are also putting additional pressure on our very hard-working postmen, postwomen and post office staff who are on the frontline as they often face the brunt of customers’ frustrations despite not being responsible for the delays within the sorting system.’

Cllr Harrington said he intends to raise the issue in a joint motion with Cllr Cathal Rasmussen (Ind) at next Monday’s full council meeting. They will call for the chief executive of An Post and the Minister for Communications Patrick O’Donovan to appear before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action and Communications to discuss the current situation in An Post sorting offices.

An Post was contacted for comment.