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Picture posed by models Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

What's most likely to be stolen from Irish pharmacies? Fake tan

A survey by the Irish Pharmacy Union has found ‘shocking’ levels of crime in pharmacies, with cosmetics and fake tan topping the list for the items most likely to be stolen.

A SURVEY OF pharmacists has found ‘shocking’ levels of crime with almost three quarters of pharmacies reporting that they were the victims of crime in the past year.

The survey by the Irish Pharmacy Union also found that fake tan and cosmetics were the items most likely to be stolen from pharmacies.

Shoplifting accounted for the vast majority of pharmacy crimes followed by robberies. One in four of the latter involved the use of a weapon.

A total of 71 per cent of pharmacists who responded to the survey said they had been the victims of crime over the past year with 84 per cent reporting more than one criminal incident. Most pharmacists reported the crime to the Gardaí but a significant minority were unhappy with the response they received.

The Irish Pharmacy Union has called for more Gardaí on the streets and punitive sentencing to deter criminals.

“These shocking levels of crime being experienced by pharmacists show that too many criminals feel there is nothing to stop them,” said Rory O’Donnell, the president of the IPU.

He said that there was a perception that crimes against business are ‘victimless’ crimes and are thus not treated as seriously as they should be.

“The safety of pharmacists, staff and customers is being put at risk by criminals and this cannot be tolerated,” said O’Donnell. “Crime also damages businesses, threatens jobs and negatively impacts on staff morale. These hidden costs can have a far bigger impact on the pharmacy business than the direct costs of damage and loss.”

Read: Pharmacists say increased prescription charges may lead to people being hospitalised >

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54 Comments
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    Mute Gizmo mac
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    May 8th 2014, 8:27 PM

    I thought they were just big boned?

    75
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    Mute Dell
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    May 8th 2014, 9:18 PM

    That’s a great comment.. My mother used to excuse my poor sisters baby fat by saying that to people. that or that she is a strong girl.

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    Mute unknown
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    May 8th 2014, 7:56 PM

    Why did the bear dissolve in water….. because he was a polar bear

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    Mute Cowenwatch
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    May 8th 2014, 9:51 PM

    Bearly makes any sense?

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    Mute Accord Moan Eye
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    May 9th 2014, 11:32 AM

    Someone doesn’t know their chemistry….

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    Mute Stephen
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    May 8th 2014, 9:42 PM

    Despite what we think, a polar bear’s fur is not white. Each hair is clear hollow tube. Polar bears look white because each hollow hair reflects the light. They suffer from thyroid problems and water retention like myself.

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    Mute Gary Comerford
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    May 8th 2014, 9:19 PM

    There’s a bear that we all know… Yogi

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    Mute Theresa Newman
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    May 9th 2014, 9:11 AM

    So…let’s analyse how polar bears cope with obesity…so humans can learn how to be obese and stay alive?

    I’m all for research and finding out more about these animals, but why can’t humans just stop eating so much fat? We are the first generation of humans that will die younger than our ancestors, because of obesity or fatness-related illnesses.

    You won’t see a polar bear driving a mobility scooter and cramming cheeseburgers into it’s gob – it eats fat because that’s all there is for them to eat! Humans have a choice.

    Step away from the buffet. Give peas a chance…

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    Mute mikeobrien4FM
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    May 8th 2014, 11:48 PM

    Wahooo! I’m a polar bear!!!!

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