Postmaster loses bid to reinstate contract

The High Court has dismissed a challenge by a postmaster who claimed An Post unfairly terminated his contract four months after his son was kidnapped by armed tiger raiders.

Tom Kelleher, who had been the postmaster in Newcastle West, Co Limerick, for 19 years, took the case in which he challenged the loss of his contract and a claim by An Post he should pay half of the €105,000 stolen by the gunmen.

On Jun 28, 2011, Mr Kelleher’s son Tommy, aged 27, was abducted and held at gunpoint. The kidnappers allegedly told staff if the money was not paid over by noon that day, or if gardaí were informed, Tommy Kelleher would be found dead in the boot of a car.