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Larceny act and An Post workers

  • 26-07-2014 10:37PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,779 ✭✭✭


    the lost property thread got me reading the Larceny act (as you do)
    S10 of the larceny act 1990 makes it a felony for An Post staff to destroy a postal packet.

    I had a quick search of other amendments to the Larceny acts, and there is nothing newer to cover private postal companies, or courier companies destroying packets.
    It seems an odd omission, If I post 2 packets, one by an Post, and one by city post, that if both are destroyed, only the an Post postman gets up to 10 years.

    It is also strange that there appears to be no way for drugs packets to be opened.

    Lastly, there appears to be a typo in the law, making it illegal for a postman to secrete a postal packet, which is harsh on those with mutant sudoriparous glands.... ;)


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,087 ✭✭✭Pro Hoc Vice


    The whole of that act was repealed in 2001. You need to look at the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offence) Act 2001. In any even the 1990 act amended the 1908 Post Office Act so its amendments to that act that you will need to find.

    But I do not think the act is confined to just An Post packages, it would be I guess contained in one of the Postal Acts or Communications Regulations Acts or some similar act.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,053 ✭✭✭BornToKill


    Lastly, there appears to be a typo in the law, making it illegal for a postman to secrete a postal packet, which is harsh on those with mutant sudoriparous glands.... ;)

    There's nothing wrong with that. Secrete can mean 'to deposit or conceal in a hiding place'. Draftsmen usually have a very good command of language.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 78,904 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    It seems an odd omission, If I post 2 packets, one by an Post, and one by city post, that if both are destroyed, only the an Post postman gets up to 10 years.
    If the destruction is deliberate or wanton, then a criminal damage charge could apply, under the Criminal Damage Act, 1991.
    It is also strange that there appears to be no way for drugs packets to be opened.
    That would be Customs or An Garda, not the postal operator / courier.


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