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Postmaster pays out of own pocket Postmaster pays out of own pocket
(about 7 hours later)
A postmaster in Londonderry has used his own money to pay customers after Post Offices across Northern Ireland ran out of money on Thursday.A postmaster in Londonderry has used his own money to pay customers after Post Offices across Northern Ireland ran out of money on Thursday.
People collecting benefits and winter fuel payments came to get them early before Post Offices closed for Easter.People collecting benefits and winter fuel payments came to get them early before Post Offices closed for Easter.
"I managed to personally fund the offices on a rota basis to keep them open," said Jim Gough."I managed to personally fund the offices on a rota basis to keep them open," said Jim Gough.
The Post Office said plans were being put in place to fix the situation as soon as possible. The GPO on Custom House Street in Derry will now open from 0900 to 1230 BST on Saturday because of the problems.
In a statement, the Post Office said plans were being put in place to fix the situation as soon as possible.
It also apologised to customers for any inconvenience caused.It also apologised to customers for any inconvenience caused.
Jim Gough said some Post Offices could still face shortages.Jim Gough said some Post Offices could still face shortages.
"We open up again on Tuesday, but some offices I'm told took Monday and Tuesday off and not Friday."We open up again on Tuesday, but some offices I'm told took Monday and Tuesday off and not Friday.
"They won't be able to work on Friday because they won't have any money."They won't be able to work on Friday because they won't have any money.
"The bank man's not speaking to me anymore, and I don't know what people are going to do unless the Post Office pull their finger out at the beginning of the week," he said."The bank man's not speaking to me anymore, and I don't know what people are going to do unless the Post Office pull their finger out at the beginning of the week," he said.