Former postmistress speaks of relief after decade of "mental torture" draws to a close

Q Radio News

A former postmistress wrongly accused of fraud has told Q Radio of her relief that a High Court dispute with the Post Office has been settled.

Deirdre Connolly from Strabane was among more than 500 postmistresses and postmasters across the UK who took a group action over a defective computer system.

The group proved the system caused shortfalls in their financial accounts, which led to some being made bankrupt or even jailed.

Yesterday, the Post Office agreed to pay out almost £58m to those affected.

But the damage has already been done. 

Mrs. Connolly and another Northern Ireland woman Fiona Elliott from Clady had to give up their businesses as a result.

Deirdre said she wrongly had to repay £16,000 after the computer in the Killeter post office branch in Tyrone showed a deficit in 2010...

Some people in the area branded her a thief ...

Her health suffered as a result of the decade-long ordeal...

It could take weeks for individual compensation payments to be worked out.

🎥 Former NI postmistress wrongly accused of fraud speaks of relief court dispute with Post Office has been settled.

Deirdre Connolly forced to ‘repay’ £16,000, was branded a thief & her health suffered.

Decade-long ordeal is finally over:

More on air throughout the morning pic.twitter.com/9kZlnHjwsT

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) December 12, 2019

It’s confirmed,the HORIZON TRIAL JUDGEMENT is to be handed down@2pm Monday 16th December.Join us for respectful show of support for all victims of POLtd outside the Rolls Building,EC4A1NL,from 1pm.Please share across social media & community boards. SOS:Support Our Subpostmasters pic.twitter.com/bq4gpDhU7w

— El Shaikh (@ElCShaikh) December 3, 2019

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