If Eircom removes the phoneboxes from Athenry, the nearest public phones for the town will be in Main Street Loughrea.
This is the view of Patrick Creed, The Green Party candidate for the Loughrea ward, who has written to Eircom to protest at the proposed removal of the phone boxes.
Despite this being the era when most people have a mobile phone, Mr Creed says there are a number of cases where access to phoneboxes are needed.
“A child who needs to phone a parent or emergency phone line such as Childline for help. They may not safely be able to use a phone at home or elsewhere,” he said. “Someone who needs to phone an ambulance or other emergency service. If you can’t find your mobile or don’t have one what then?”
He also said a phonebox is essential if a person needed to reach the gardaí after having their mobile stolen. He also said: “Eircom always had the service of the community in its remit. Is this no longer the case?”
Mr Creed is also calling on the public to write to Eircom to object to the proposed removal of the phoneboxes.
