Lockdown loneliness saw older people 'write to themselves just so postman would visit' 

Postman Kevin Ruby from Lombardstown, Co Cork adopted a fun way to deliver the mail with his teddy during the pandemic. Picture: Dan Linehan

Older people felt so lonely during lockdown periods that they sent themselves letters so the postman would visit, an Oireachtas sub-committee has heard.

Alone chief executive Sean Moynihan said cocooning measures had a significant impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of older people.