Courts / Dublin / Report

Postman binned mail to shorten his round

Date
2018-11-12

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Derek Thompson, a 58‑year‑old former An Post postman from Wicklow, was sentenced to a six‑month suspended term after he was found guilty of four counts of preventing the delivery of postal items without the addressee's consent. Thompson had discarded mainly marketing material, including two letters about medical appointments, from his delivery route in order to shorten his round so he could care for his sick mother. The court heard that no addressee missed any appointments and that the discarded mail consisted largely of brochures and charity solicitations. Thompson had no prior convictions and had served 34 years with An Post. Judge Melanie Greally accepted that the offence was at the lower end of the scale, noted that no harm was done, and imposed a suspended six‑month sentence, citing the loss of his long‑standing job as a significant consequence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Postman binned mail to shorten his round. Charges or matters: four charges of preventing the delivery of a postal package without the agreement of the addressee at Old Bray Road, Cabinteely, Dublin, on dates between November 10 and 15, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

November 10 Hearing Or Sentence
2018-11-12 Publication

Case subjects

Derek Thompson

Defendant

Charges: four charges of preventing the delivery of a postal package without the agreement of the addressee at Old Bray Road, Cabinteely, Dublin, on dates between November 10 and 15, 2016 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: She placed the offence at the lower end of the scale and suspended the six month sentence for six months.