'Lazy' postman escapes jail term

A postman who failed to deliver thousands of letters out of “pure laziness” has been given a suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

Oliver Ennis (aged 27) avoided jail after Judge Martin Nolan said that he didn’t even know the offence existed until the case came before him today. Over the course of nearly two years, Ennis stashed undelivered letters in his car boot so he could finish his shifts early.

Ennis of Pearse House, Pearse Street plead guilty to “detaining and delaying” over 2,500 pieces of post at the Shelbourne Road Sorting Office between December 1, 2008 and July 8, 2010. He faced a maximum sentence of five years or a €50,000 fine.

Judge Nolan commented: “It would never have struck me that this was a criminal offence until it was brought to my attention.”

“And thanks be to God it doesn’t apply to barristers when they’re supposed to send letters,” he said, to laughter from the court.

The judge said Ennis has embarrassed his employer “to a great degree” but noted he made no financial gain from the offence. He sentenced him to 18 months which he suspended for two years.

Garda Karen Fitzsimmons told prosecuting counsel, Ms Melanie Greally BL, that in April 2010, An Post received a complainant about undelivered post in the Beggars Bush area and started an investigation. They sent two test letters and monitored their delivery

Ennis was observed doing his postal route but not delivering the letters. He was seen finishing his shift and going home early. Gardaí later called to his home and asked him about the undelivered post.

Ennis initially said he had six “dead”, undeliverable, letters in his car. However gardaí then found 2,500 more letters and packages in his car boot. He was arrested and admitted not delivering any of the letters.

He said if a letter was difficult to deliver he would just keep it in his car so he could finish work early.

He said his only excuse was “pure laziness” and if he was delivering a package and the recipient was not there to sign for it, he would stash it in his car instead of putting it back in the system.

He had been working for An Post for two years but has now been dismissed. He told gardaí he wasn’t aware he was committing a crime but Gda Fitzsimmons said all An Post employees are informed of postal service legislation.

Defence counsel, Mr Luigi Rea BL, said Ennis made no financial gain from the crime and none of the post had been opened. He said there were no serious consequences resulting from the undelivered letters.

Mr Rea said his client’s wife was having a difficult pregnancy with their fourth child at the time and he was under pressure caring for their other children.

Counsel added Ennis has no previous convictions and has now lost his job and reputation.