A Mayo Deputy has publicly raised the issue of abuse and thefts from local shops and convenience stores.  

 

Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon told An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD, in Dáil Éireann that the wave of vile abuse, harassment, physical attacks, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting on shops and supermarkets was highlighted on RTE’s Prime Time.   

 

Deputy Dillon said the owners of a business in my own constituency of Mayo said they are currently going through a pandemic of petty crime with young children and adults committing thefts.   

 

Yesterday Sheila Clarke from Clarke’s Convenience store and service station in Ballina told Midwest News that there are not enough repercussions for young offenders involved in retail crime.   

  

Deputy Dillon said Garda figures show that thefts from shops have increased by 41% over the past 12 months.    

 

The Fine Gael Deputy wants to know what legislative changes are planned to protect owners and staff in our local shops and convenience stores who have reported losses in the hundreds if not thousands per week as a result of these crimes.

 

An Taoiseach said he would ask Minister for Justice Simon Harris to speak to him about this issue and the solutions that can be put in place. 
 

Deputy Dillon has also written to the Minister for Justice Simon Harris TD requesting a meeting to discuss strengthening legislation to protect local shop owners and their businesses.