Three jailed for ‘comical’ post office robbery in Donegal
The bungling gang, all of whom come from Derry, were high on drugs when they took part in the raid.
Noel Lavy, David Knight and Joseph McMullan had more than 340 previous convictions between them.
The three men carried out the vicious attack using hammers and a hatchet at the post office in Manorcunningham on October 4, 2014.
The trio initially tried to break down a locked door of the post office before realising the door next to it was open.
Letterkenny Circuit Court heard how the trio hijacked a Royal Mail van in neighbouring Derry after going on a massive binge of alcohol and drugs the previous night.
They bought hi-viz jackets in a supermarket and took possession of a range of weapons.
They headed across the border into Donegal with the hijacked van and carried out the terrifying raid at the post office in Manorcunningham, owned by Kathleen Diver.
The trio stormed the post office and used a sledgehammer to smash the protective screen that Ms Diver was sitting behind.
The terrified woman emptied the till and threw the cash at the gang, which amounted to €2,930.
The gang fled the scene but patrolling gardaí, alerted by their colleagues in the PSNI to the stolen mail van, apprehended the men after using a stinger to puncture the tyres.
When sentencing Judge John Aylmer said that despite the comical and amateurish elements to the case, it did not dilute the absolutely terrifying experience suffered by Ms Diver.
He told the court, “This was a serious, serious offence, and despite the comical elements like using a Royal Mail post van to carry out the robbery, there was nothing comical about weapons being brandished in a threatening manner.
“This was a terrifying experience for Ms Diver, and even though she suffered no physical injuries, the incident left her shook-up and traumatised.
“The three men all have huge previous convictions and seem to have chronic issues with drugs and alcohol abuse and all come from deprived backgrounds, they have engaged in crime for most of their lives.
Noel
Lavy, aged 37, a father of one, of 57 Ballymagowan, Derry, pleaded guilty to robbery, causing criminal damage, the unlawful taking of a Royal Mail van, dangerous driving and driving without insurance.
David Knight, aged 37, and a father of four, of 24 Melmore Gardens, Derry, pleaded guilty to robbery, the production of an article, criminal damage and allowing himself to be carried in a mechanically-propelled vehicle.
Joseph McMullan, aged 25, of 5 Kavanagh Court, Derry, was charged with being carried in a stolen vehicle, robbery and being possession of a knife used to intimidate.
Joseph McMullan was jailed for six years but had the remaining two years suspended,while David Knight and Noel Lavy had half of their six-year sentences suspended.
