The intruders attempted to slice their way into two safes and apparently ignited the blaze in the process.

    Police said they believed the fires had been started by sparks emitted when the burglars tried to break into the safes using angle grinders early on Tuesday morning. It appears that they fled at this point.

    However, it wasn’t until 6.30am that a passer-by noticed what had happened and by then the post office and adjoining shop were ablaze.

    Police say the burglars were unable to break into the safes but made off with a number of benefits books from elsewhere on the premises.

    The owner of the business, Oliver Ledwith, said it was likely that the post office would be out of action for at least a month.

    “It is a massive inconvenience, not just to the people of Kilmacormick, Hillview and Cornagrade, but a lot of out-of-town ones who use the post office,” he said.

    “It has caused a lot of inconvenience - you are talking about old people getting taxis to the town, to Ann Street, East Bridge Street and Chanterhill.

    “From the feedback, people are disgusted with it,” he said.

    Mr Ledwith said the loss of the post office was a major blow to other traders at Cornagrade Road. The business had been leased to a manager who was busy cleaning up the blackened interior yesterday.

    “People are outraged about it because she’s a very good girl,” Mr Ledwith said.

    “It’s a very, very busy post office. It’s the old age pensioners I feel sorry for - they have to go into town now.”

    Former assembly member Tommy Gallagher branded the burglary a “despicable act”.

    “It has upset people in the area who use the post office and particularly elderly people, some of whom are now very concerned about their pensions,” he said.

    “Some people’s books have run out and it is going to be difficult for them to get new books. Some books appeared to have been destroyed.

    “It’s going to cause a delay now in them being able to draw their pensions. However, I am reassured by the staff at the main post office who are trying to be very helpful to anybody who has experienced any difficulty,” Mr Gallagher said.