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Retailers want the parents of shoplifting children prosecuted

Currently children under the age of 12 do not have criminal responsibility for their actions.

RETAILERS HAVE TOLD gardaí that they want parents of children who shoplift to be prosecuted.

Currently children under the age of 12 do not have criminal responsibility for their actions and retailers say some parents take advantage of this to send children to steal.

At the Garda Retail Forum in Harcourt Street last week, retailers called on gardaí to punish the parents in these cases as accessories to the thefts.

Retail Excellence spokesperson Lorraine Higgins said that retailers were reporting an uptick in the incidents.

Many of our retailers have reported a rise in the number of unscrupulous parents who are using their children to rob and pilfer high end items so they can sell these items on for profit. And we are not talking about situations where children mistakenly take items. We are talking about organised criminal activity which has been fully orchestrated by a parent.

“Once there is evidence a crime has been committed and it can be proven the parent orchestrated the illicit activity beyond all reasonable doubt then that parent should be charged as being an accessory in the theft end of story.”

Higgins added that gardaí have agreed to work with retailers on enforcing the law.

“Hopefully, this will result in a reduced number of thefts because if the current situation is allowed fester it will cost jobs in the largest private industry employer in this country”.

Read: Teenager stabbed in Dublin pizza restaurant

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32 Comments
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    Mute Trevor Beale
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 6:45 AM

    They’d want to start by sorting out these water charges. Should be top of their agenda.

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    Mute Roscom-Man
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 6:36 AM

    I hope they are well rested after their break. What an absolute pack of wasters. Joan Burton has been offered a position as a forwards coach on the Irish ladies Rugby team. A very accomplished No.8 in her day

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    Mute Ian McG
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 7:38 AM

    Kenny can’t even manage a smile properly! What a nonsense photo though with them all trying to look hip

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    Mute KentuckyWindage
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 6:53 AM

    Who took this awful photo?
    My beloved Joan’s features are all blurred. The twinkle in her eye may be dimmed in this photo, but nothing can change the warmth of her heart.

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    Mute Firas
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 9:16 AM

    LMFAO – Well done sir! Gave me a chuckle.

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    Mute Ian O'Donovan
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 7:59 AM

    Forgot they were away..

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    Mute Chris Mackey
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 9:22 AM

    What do you mean they were but they are all ways away whats new. What we should be saying is Oh they are back

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    Mute Martin Coyle
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 8:16 AM

    God bless them all they look shattered, maybe we should give them a permanent rest.

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    Mute John Farrant
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 8:40 AM

    Maybe they will do nothing until the next concert comes along then they will be galvanised into action and be willing to change the law overnight to make Ireland a better place. I agree with one of the previous comments. They sould have been rested permanently.

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    Mute Gambon
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    Sep 3rd 2014, 7:09 AM

    CAN I JUST SAY …… We are back !!

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