Cork postman pleads guilty to stealing cash and Lottery tickets from mail packages

Offences were carried out in various locations in Cork between 2019 and 2022, court heard

Former postman charged with theft of €100 cash, €10 worth of Lottery tickets, a ceramic mug, €20 worth of Lottery tickets and a €100 cheque. File picture: Richard Mills

A former postman pleaded guilty to interference with postal packets and thefts arising out of an investigation into his actions at various locations over a period of two and a half years.

Seán Hogan, 39, of 7 Shrewsbury, Ballinlough, Cork, was arraigned on Wednesday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court where he pleaded guilty to nine sample charges against him.

On the application of his barrister Neal Horgan, Judge Helen Boyle agreed to adjourn sentencing until February 12, 2025, to allow time for preparation of a probation report.

Mr Horgan said: “He has no previous convictions. This happened against a backdrop of addiction issues.” 

Judge Helen Boyle also directed victim impact statements in respect of those at a loss as a result of his actions.

Brendan Kelly, prosecution barrister, said: “The pleas of guilty are entered on a full facts basis. He came forward cooperatively on a book of evidence allowing the Director [of Public Prosecutions] to bring a much more streamlined book of evidence that does not really cover the extent of the offences.” 

The charges which were admitted by Seán Hogan related to a period from August 2019 to February 2022.

The first charge stated that in August 2019 at The Quays, Main Street, Passage West, while being a person who was a postal service provider and contrary to his duty, he did intentionally delay, detain, interfere with and open a postal package addressed to another. The next two charges referred to the same place in January 2020 and January 2021.

The fourth charge was for a similar offence on January 2022 at Main Street, Innishannon.

The next charges refer to different periods between December 2020 and February 2022 at An Post South City delivery service unit, Togher industrial estate, where various items were dishonestly appropriated, namely €100 cash, €10 worth of Lottery tickets, a ceramic mug, €20 worth of Lottery tickets and a €100 cheque.

Details in relation to the facts of the case that gave rise to the investigation will be outlined at the sentencing hearing in February.