Mayo retailer makes disturbing revelations that merit urgent action

A RETAILER in Castlebar has highlighting the threats, abuse and theft suffered by him and his staff from what he described as 'serial offenders'.

“These crimes and the justice system response has caused us a lot of stress and sadness during our years in Castlebar,” the business person wrote to An Taoiseach Enda Kenny in a letter which was also copied to The Connaught Telegraph.

The retailer, who subsequently spoke to this newspaper and asked not to be named because of fear of retaliation, revealed that some days more crime is committed in the Castlebar outlet than in 20 years in their other seven branches.

A situation has reached a stage whereby the retailer only contacts An Garda Síochána in the event of threats or abuse to staff, although employees are reluctant to make formal complaints due to the worry of reprisals.

“The crimes against us are almost always carried out by those with multiple convictions. This means An Garda Síochána have brought successful cases to court and the defendants have been found guilty many times. Some of the people we deal with have hundreds of convictions.

“This is to the credit of the gardaí and it is understandable why they may have given up on these offenders.

“There must be a complete change of mindset by politicians who allow people with muliple convictions to walk our streets and the judisical system accepts this,” the letter continued.

The businessman made the point that serial offenders should have their social welfare payments taken away and made to work for the state. Neither should they receive free legal aid, while victims should be compensated without having to take a civil case.

“Repeat offenders cause untold heartache, stress and sadness throughout Ireland. Our elected representatives must change the law immediately in order to show some sympathy for the law-abiding taxpayers of this country,” the retailer added.

The obvious concern now is that this retailer will close up shop and move elsewhere, the last thing the county town needs.