Postman who hid 100 envelopes ‘doing well’

A former postman who stashed 100 undelivered envelopes under the sink in his kitchen and in his bedroom has progressed well with the new restorative justice programme, it emerged yesterday.

At Cork District Court, Judge Leo Malone further adjourned the case against Ian Spitere, aged 28, of 24 Strattan Pines, Bishopstown, to February 25, when he would require a probation report.

After reading a report on how Spitere had done since the case was adjourned two months ago, Judge Malone said: “He has dealt fairly with the restorative justice programme.

“I will put it back for him to complete this contact.”

Spitere previously pleaded guilty to opening four postal packets. Inspector Pat Meaney said none of the other packets were opened and that the four that were opened contained nothing of value and that the offences were not motivated by any monetary gain.

A housemate living with Spitere became concerned that undelivered post was found in the rented house and he alerted the authorities. Gardaí arrived with a warrant and, in a search, found the letters in a cupboard under the sink and in Spitere’s bedroom.

It emerged that there were stress factors in the defendant’s life at that time. He had been employed with An Post for seven years and previously had an excellent employment record.

However, when his work required him to sort post at the Little Island sorting office before delivering it on his route, problems emerged and he ended up not delivering it all. But instead of returning the undelivered post to the sorting office, he brought it home and left it there because he felt under some time pressure.

Each of the four charges stated that, on an unknown date between August 6 or 12 and September 30, 2013, at 24 Strattan Pines, the accused did open a postal packet addressed to a named person without the consent of that person contrary to Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Act 2011.