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CRIME IS A major problem for Irish pharmacists, who say they have been targeted by shoplifters and suffered violent attacks.
The Irish Pharmacy Union held its annual pharmacy crime survey for 2015, which showed that of the 120 pharmacies surveyed:
They say that tougher sentencing and a more visible Garda presence required to address the scourge of crime against pharmacies.
The findings from the Survey were described by IPU Vice-President Daragh Connolly as “extremely worrying” and “unacceptable”. He said he was particularly concerned at the level of violent crimes against pharmacy staff.
“It is difficult enough to run a pharmacy in the current environment without being the target for criminal activity that not only has a significant cost factor but more importantly has a detrimental impact on pharmacy staff who are subjected to these incidents,” said Connolly.
“It is unacceptable that pharmacy owners and their staff are viewed as ‘soft targets’ where the probability of repeat offences is high and the risk of apprehension and penalty is low.”
The research also found that:
Connolly said that pharmacists who have been victims of crime “say they are sick and tired of the revolving door approach”, with many complaining that even when the criminals are caught they are not sufficiently penalised.
He said that a “no tolerance approach” from the judiciary and the Gardaí is needed, along with tougher sentencing and a more visible Garda presence required.
Respondents to the survey identified more visible policing, faster Garda response and tougher sentencing as the most effective methods of reducing crime.
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’94% invested in CCTV to protect their staff and their businesses’
Thought CCTV would be mandatory in any business dealing with drugs.
Also.
I’m going to put my neck on the line here and suggest that the perpetrators stealing cosmetics and fake tan are very likely to be female.
OK, I don’t have any stats to back up this claim, more of a hunch really.
I suspect that these goods, in general, are stolen in order to sell on. Professional shop lifters tend not to steal products to maintain their appearance, but you could be right on the gender issue.
Most Irish pharmacists should be wearing balaclavas themselves.
At least Dick Turpin had the decency to wear a mask.
Excellent deduction skills Oran! I’m well impressed. Sleuth much!! Haha
You’d wonder who in Dublin steals more fake tan… The women or the men….
Shoplifting is a serious problem in Ireland.
All fines should be deducted form welfare and or wages.
I believe if you rack up a certain number of criminal convictions; say ten you should become ineligible for social welfare assistance. There are criminals with hundreds of convictions living off the tax payer without fear of the law. This has to stop. How difficult would it be to place a clause in a contract with someone about to receive free (for them) welfare money to stipulate they must not commit crime?
Any money saved could build more prisons. Until then I honestly couldn’t care if we have to put fifty criminals in a cell made for two. They don’t care about our human rights why should we care about theirs ?
Selling overpriced and unnecessary cosmetics is hardly a human right.
Slap for slappers.
Sure and ya naad a baat of faake tannn and schlap there boss!
The local pharmacy here in kinsale was ram raided early Monday morning. The street is covered in cctv. This does not deter criminals getting what they want. A large quantity of prescription medication and beauty products were stolen.
50/50 as regards perps. Men and women.
have your say