Thursday, July 29, 2010
THE husband of a postmistress in Co Donegal last night claimed that An Post have completely ignored their calls for better security around their homes.
The man, who asked not to be named, spoke out after postmistress Bernie Moore was sacked from her job after raiders escaped with more than €100,000 in an armed robbery.
The mother-of-three had her contract terminated and was asked to pay back €80,000 after An Post claimed she did not follow proper security procedures.
But last night the husband of another post mistress in Co Donegal said all post offices along the border were "sitting ducks" for criminals.
The man said postmasters and postmistresses and their families in Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth were all terrified of becoming the next victims of crime.
"When my family goes home during the day or night, we lock all our windows and doors," the man said. "If our family or friends are going to call, they telephone in advance because we are terrified somebody will come to the door and kidnap us. I really don’t think An Post realise how worried the families of postmasters and postmistresses are."
The man also revealed how his family asked for security cameras to be installed at the home but was turned down by An Post.
"They told us that if we wanted them, we would have to pay for them ourselves. They can’t have their cake and eat it.
"If they wanted their premises and their staff better protected, then they need to look at their overall security arrangements again," he said.
"People who work in post offices and their families all know each other and we are appalled at how Bernie Moore has been treated," he said.
"This decision by An Post has now set a precedent. Does this now mean that the next person to be robbed will also be the next person sacked?"
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