Dead man ‘propped up by two other men in attempt to collect pension at post office’

Ken Foy, Amy Molloy and Paul Hyland
January 21 2022 05:40 PM


Gardaí remove the body of a man left at a post office on Staplestown Road in Carlow. Picture: Dylan Vaughan.

A dead man was brought to a post office this morning in an attempt to collect his pension in one of the most bizarre incidents that gardaí have ever seen.

The shocking incident in which the deceased male was propped up by two other men happened at the post office on Staplestown Road in Carlow town.

Staff at the post office immediately became suspicious and contacted emergency services and gardaí rushed to the scene.

No money was handed over and it is understood that the deceased man is well known to the two men who moved his body.

A local woman living beside the post office told how her daughter witnessed two men carrying a man into the shop.

“She was leaving my house at the time and said the man looked unwell as his feet were dragging the ground,” she said.

The woman, who did not want to be named, said there was a queue outside of the post office at the time.

“It’s a small shop and you’re only allowed three at a time with social distancing. People were in shock as they thought he was after having a heart attack,” she said.

“I feel awful for the staff. They’ve suffered so many robberies over the years, they’re worn out. I’ve a 12 year old daughter and I’m trying to explain to her what happened and sure where do you start. It’s awful.”


Gardaí at the scene where a man's body was left at a post office on Staplestown Road in Carlow. Picture: Dylan Vaughan

Neighbours of the deceased said they are in “total shock” after the incident.

“He was a lovely man, a lovely neighbour and we’re all very upset,” one woman said.

“We don’t want to speculate about what happened but all I can say is it’s a sad night and a shock to the system,” another said.

Gardaí confirmed they were investigating.

“Gardaí are investigating all the circumstances surrounding the unexplained death of an elderly male in the Carlow area this morning, Friday 21st January 2022,” a spokesman said.

“The services of the Garda Technical Bureau and the Office of the State Pathologist have been requested.

“A post mortem will be conducted by the Office of the State Pathologist, the results of which will determine the course of the investigation.”

Mayor of Carlow, Fianna Fáil Councillor Ken Murnane, expressed shock at the news.

“I heard there was a commotion in the post office,” he said this evening.

"I go by there all the time and it’s a very busy post office – normally there’d be a queue out the door there.

"I was absolutely shocked to hear about what happened.

"I cannot believe anyone would do something like that. It beggars belief, I’m just shocked.”

Local Fine Gael councillor Fergal Byrne said “The whole town is in shock.

“The man who passed away was a nice man by all accounts and someone who caused no offence to anyone.

“The staff in the shop are very shook up from it. I’d like to offer my sympathies to the man’s family also. It’s a bizarre and upsetting situation.”

Independent councillor John Cassin said the bizarre news has left the local community stunned.

“People are just shocked,” he said. “I don’t even know what to say.”

Weekend at O’Bernie’s.

Prop me up beside the jukebox when I die!

How drunk do you have to be to think that might work?

It’s Ned Devine.

Y'all sure this wasn't a Monty Python skit?

You can't make this stuff up..........

Everything about that article is amazing.

Junkies come up with some funny shit to try to scam money.

This. This is how it's done. This is serious, next-level commitment to a scam. I'm not even sure I'd even charge them if I were Garda, just as a nod to their balls-out determination. More of a "Nice try, guys. Now put the dead guy back where you found him, and run off to the pub."

There's some True Believers in "Go big or go home."

It is not unusual it is Ireland after all. Could just be drunk.

quote:

Originally posted by TXJIM:
Weekend at O’Bernie’s.

That's the first thing that came to mind when I saw this.

quote:

Originally posted by DennisM:
This. This is how it's done. This is serious, next-level commitment to a scam. I'm not even sure I'd even charge them if I were Garda, just as a nod to their balls-out determination. More of a "Nice try, guys. Now put the dead guy back where you found him, and run off to the pub."

I’ll give it to the guys. They drug it through to the end. Literally.

My first thought was Weekend at Bernie’s.

quote:

Originally posted by MRBTX:
It’s Ned Devine.

Great reference!

Yes, I wonder if these blokes had that movie in mind when they tried this stunt, LOL?

“I feel awful for the staff. They’ve suffered so many robberies over the years, they’re worn out."

This is the part of Ireland most tourists don't know exists. Watch The General starring Brendan Gleeson as real life hoodlum Martin Cahill for an excellent treatment of Irish criminality. (Jon Voight is also excellent as Cahill's Garda protagonist).

We were in Kinsale on the south coast when an armored car delivery was made to a bank. It was escorted, not by the Gardai, but by the Irish Army. We were across the street watching and were gestured to move along by one of the squadies. Our Irish friends said that was pretty much SOP.

quote:

Originally posted by Blackmore:
“I feel awful for the staff. They’ve suffered so many robberies over the years, they’re worn out."

This is the part of Ireland most tourists don't know exists.

I noticed in 2012 when I was there on my honeymoon that every home had a alarm system control box mounted on the outside, right where the electrical service usually came in. I work in this field and noticed it but I’m sure most people didn’t. Every single house there is alarmed it appears.

I thought the thread title was the beginning of a joke......

I’m certain I’ve seen this movie …

quote:

Originally posted by ggile:
I thought the thread title was the beginning of a joke......

You are not alone.

Tim Finnegan's wake.

Dubliners