Retailers who are at breaking point from repeat offenders have demanded urgent action to end the “relentless violence” in their stores.
Shop owners came together at Fallon & Byrne in Dublin this week for the launch of a new campaign titled .
Spearheaded by ShelfLife in collaboration with the Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association, the initiative was set up to address the alarming rise in crime threatening retailers on a national scale.
The event aimed to highlight the need for stronger legislative protections and enhanced Garda response times.
It also shed light on damning findings from a ShelfLife survey which revealed that 100% of retailers experienced criminal activity in the last year.
This ranged from from shoplifting and violent robbery to employee theft and gang intimidation.
The findings also indicate that 89% of retailers noted a recent escalation in retail crime.
Some 67% surveyed expressed dissatisfaction with Garda response times.
The launch event was attended by more than 100 retailers.
Store owner John Caulwell was among a panel of business owners speaking about the impact of crime on their business.
Mr Caulwell once feared he would lose his life at the hands of a customer in a terrifying incident.
Mr Caulwell, who owns Spar on O’Connell Street in Dublin, recalled how a syringe was held to his neck during a violent robbery.
“The man who did it got a six-month sentence,” he told the Irish examiner.
A staff member of his more recently had a gun held to his head.
“It’s all on CCTV. We know who the guy is but he was wearing a balaclava and a hoody so there wasn’t enough evidence to bring to the DPP.”
Mr Caulwell has since offered his staff member counselling.
The incident occurred while he was out of the country.
“My staff member was understandably very shook and didn’t come to work for a week.
“I knew that offering counselling was the right thing to do because the mental impact of an attack like his cannot be underestimated. I would challenge any Garda or politician to spend a day in my shop. Only then will they see what this is really like.”
Recalling his own experience, he said: “I remember just standing there and thinking, ‘this could be the end. I could get killed’.
“Some day, a sales assistant is going to die. When this happens it’s going to be too late for change. I am saying it over and over again. We need more Gardaí on the streets.”
“There are times when I feel like walking out the door and throwing the keys of my shop in the Liffey. That’s how frustrating the situation has become.”
He admits that the fight for justice can be exhausting.
“In my own case it was an habitual offender who got free legal aid and a barrister. It felt like they were trying to make a liar out of me on the stand.
“However, I fight fire with fire and refuse to back down for anyone. I wasn’t going to let this scumbag get the better of me and am glad I got the satisfaction of seeing him go to prison.”
The incident also seriously impacted his family.
“My own wife and my son were involved in the business,” he said. “My wife now worries for my son and what it might be like for him.”
