Dublin People - Investigation underway following mail theft

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Investigation underway following mail theft

Tuesday, 29 April 2008

A GARDA investigation is underway after an opportunist thief stole mail from a postman’s bag in a Northside estate last Monday (April 21).
Residents in a number of Coolock estates have been notified of the incident by An Post, who are treating it as a serious criminal matter.
The mail, which may have included personal bank and credit card details for the An Post customers affected, was taken from the postman’s bag on Adare Avenue as he was busy delivering post to the area.
The mail taken from the bag was due to be delivered to houses in Adare Park, Adare Drive, Adare Green, Bunratty Avenue, Bunratty Drive, Bunratty Road and Coolock Drive.
Residents in these estates received a card through their letterboxes from An Post last Tuesday (April 22) informing them of the situation.
The news comes after major concerns were raised about the issue of personal security and identification, following a number of high profile thefts of laptops that included sensitive information.
A spokeswoman for An Post told Northside People that all banks and relevant financial institutions have also been notified of the mail theft.
“This matter has been referred to the gardai in Coolock who are investigating it as the robbery of post or any official property of An Post is deemed a criminal offence,’” the spokeswoman said.
“When an incident such as this occurs, it is our policy to inform every financial institution so as to try and minimise the affect this could have.”
The spokeswoman said the loss of the mail appeared to be the work of an opportunistic thief.
“The mail was taken from the postman’s bag which was attached to his bicycle,” she said.
“We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused to our customers and we would ask anyone who may have information in relation to this stolen mail to urgently contact An Post or the gardai.”
The spokeswoman added that any recovered mail would be immediately delivered.
Meanwhile, a resident in Coolock who received a card detailing the theft, told Northside People of his concerns about the incident.
The man, who did not wish to be named, said that sending out the card to notify residents did not solve the problem and that the situation was unacceptable.
“Security is imperative and if it takes two people to deliver the post then so be it,” he stated.
The man added that sensitive material from banks should be sent by registered post.
“The whole issue has to be looked at,” he said.
A spokesman for the Garda Press Office confirmed that the matter was under investigation.
He called on anyone who may have information to contact Coolock Garda Station on 6664200.

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