Postmaster loses court challenge to dismissal

A postmaster, whose son was kidnapped at gunpoint and taken hostage, has lost his appeal over the subsequent termination of his employment.

The “dreadful” kidnapping incident, which happened in June 2011 when Tom Kelleher was in Spain with his wife, had “life-changing” implications for Mr Kelleher and his family, the Court of Appeal said.

Mr Kelleher’s son Tom Jr, driving his father’s car, had just arrived at the rear of the post office at Newcastlewest on June 28, 2011, when he was kidnapped at gunpoint and held hostage, Mr Justice Gerard Hogan said.