Red Deer man frustrated with Canada Post for sending damaged army items
Stephanie Wiebe | CBC News | Posted: May 9, 2016 10:39 PM | Last Updated: May 10, 2016
Army veteran says little has been done after package of shattered glass came 7 months ago
Update added May 10, 2016: CBC Calgary first posted this story online on May 9. Ciaran Rooney notified us on May 10 that Canada Post subsequently contacted him to offer a $500 as a "gesture," not repayment for the goods. They suggested he also contact the Irish postal service. He said he has not accepted the cash, but is happy he was contacted.
An army veteran whose cherished and irreplaceable memorabilia was badly damaged by Canada Post is upset and frustrated with how "an unbelievable loss" has been handled by the federal corporation.
Ciaran Rooney, who spent 13 years in the Irish Defence Forces and now lives in Red Deer, says the loss is all the more valuable because the pre-digital age photos and ribbons were the only items he had from his time in the army.
"The pictures were pretty much like they were inside a blender," said Ciaran Rooney, now a permanent Canadian resident living in Red Deer as an oil field mechanic.
The glass on the picture frames were shattered, which damaged the ink on photos, and ripped the ribbons from his medals accumulated over his army career.
What also upsets Rooney is how Canada Post handled his complaint after he received the damaged package.
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Rooney's sister sent the package from Ireland last October. It arrived with a note attached from Canada Post apologizing for the damage along with a complaint number.
When he called, he was told the matter would be resolved in a month. But when he didn't hear back by March he called again and says nothing has been done.
"Knowing nothing is the worst part," said Rooney, "It is very frustrating being in the dark and getting the runaround all the time."
One of the cherished items, a picture in which Rooney is carrying the body of a fallen comrade and friend in a funeral service, has been completely crushed.
A spokesperson from Canada Post says they have been working with the customer for some time and remain in touch.
"We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience, and appreciate the customer's patience," said Mouktar Abdillahi.
Rooney says friends have been offering help since he posted his frustration on a Facebook post. He is working with someone to repair some of the torn ribbons, but says the damaged photos can't be replaced.