Former Cork postman sentenced after six sacks of undelivered post found at home

The court heard: 'Much of the material was unsolicited or junk mail. And it built up over a period of four to six months.'

Pressure built up on a postman who was so overwhelmed by the volume of post he was required to deliver that he began to accumulate sacks of undelivered mail at the back of his home.

That was the scenario described at Cork District Court where Stephen Hegarty pleaded guilty to the single charge of failing to deliver post on June 11, 2021.

Judge Joanne Carroll said: “This is a terrible breach of trust. An Post delivers important post — people waiting for things in the post. It is a breach of trust to the community at large. People rely on the postal service and the postman has a very important job.” 

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said on behalf of the young man who has since lost his job as a postman: “Much of the material was unsolicited or junk mail. And it built up over a period of four to six months.

“What he should have done was discuss the increased volume with his line manager. The mail also included ordinary, regular post, in with the junk mail. Instead of raising it with his employer, he kept it to himself.

“His employer discovered something was amiss — probably due to people contacting An Post to say they had expected certain post but had not received it.

“He was probably clouded by poor decision-making from the use of cannabis. His employment was immediately terminated, thereby ending his contract with An Post. All of the material was still in his possession — none of it was destroyed."

Judge Carroll imposed a two-month sentence on the accused but suspended it on condition that he would attend treatment for his drug issue.

Stephen Hegarty, aged 33, of 58 Kilmore Road, Knocknaheeny, Cork, has secured alternative employment and is trying to put this behind him, Mr Buttimer said.

Judge Carroll said: “We all make mistakes. The thing is how we move on from them. He has the support of his family. He has a new job. It is now a matter of moving on from here.” 

Sergeant Pat Lyons outlined the background to the case: “Stephen Hegarty was employed as a postman operating a route on the southside of Cork city. In March 2021, he was suspended by An Post. On June 11, 2021, gardaí called to his house at Kilmore Road.

“He invited gardaí into his house. Six bags of post were discovered out the back of his house. It was mainly publicity post.”

 All the post was subsequently delivered by An Post. The charge of failing to deliver post was contrary to the Post Office Act as amended by the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act and Larceny Act.