On Friday, there were shocking scenes in west Dublin as burglaries happened amid the bad weather at Lidl and Centra stores.
The Fortunestown Lane Lidl in Citywest was seriously damaged by a stolen JCB. The store’s safe was recovered partially opened. Terrifying footage shared on social media also shows looters inside the building.
https://twitter.com/SenLynnRuane/status/969725146817843200
Further videos depict men entering the Centra store in Jobstown after using an electric saw to gain access.
The incidents have made international media, with coverage from news outlets in the UK and US.
Scene at Lidl right now, large Garda presence. Still shocked this happened #lidl #looting #LidlLooting #Fortunestown #Tallaght pic.twitter.com/Hkb7ImpGwQ
— Chai Brady (@ChaiBradyIC) March 3, 2018
On Saturday, nine men were brought by gardaí to the Courts Of Criminal Justice charged with trespass, burglary, possession of a weapon, and handling stolen property.
RTÉ reports that six men, released on bail, were charged in relation to the Lidl looting.
They are:
- 48-year-old John Kelly from Allen Hall in Tallaght. He is accused of handling stolen property, namely a safe.
- 20-year-old Pouilas Gueizecius, from St Mochtas Drive in Clonsilla. He is accused of burglary and possession of stolen property.
- Paul Freeman, of Russell Green in Tallaght, and Keith Kelly from Suncroft Park in Tallaght, accused of trespass at Lidl.
- Edgar Cesynas of Silken in Citywest and Gerard Buggle from Macuilmaim, Tallaght, charged with theft at Lidl.
Shocking footage of Lidl store damaged in last nights raid pic.twitter.com/ACEewhkaEl
— Colm Mc Caughey (@colmwhatyalike) March 3, 2018
Some three men, remanded in custody, appeared in relation to the Centra incident.
They are:
- 25-year-old Mohammad Smeu, from Milners Square in Santry, accused of burglary and possession of a weapon, a sledgehammer.
- 37-year-old John Doyle from Russell Walk, Russell Square, Tallaght and 36-year-old David Bernie of Suncroft Park, Tallaght, charged with burglary.
RTÉ adds that Mr Bernie shouted in court that CCTV would prove the innocence of him and his co-accused.
“We are not the ones who broke into that shop and CCTV will prove that,” he said.
Speaking to gardai involved in last nights op in Tallaght. They are overwhelmed by local people offering information on those involved in the attack on Lidl. #LidlLooters
— John Mooney (@JohnMooneyIRL) March 3, 2018
Gardaí had told Her on Friday evening that they were “responding to several incidents in the Tallaght District and a number of arrests have been made”.
Lidl Citywest looting. Yeah, bring your kids, give them some good advice on life skills #scumbags #looting #dublin pic.twitter.com/9Kj1qDjGUq
— FlynnX (@46Flynn) March 2, 2018
One person who say they witnessed the looting stated that the supermarket was getting “smashed up”. Another said it was being “emptied”.
One man highlighted that in his 15 years living in Dublin, it was only the second incidence of looting he’d been aware of – the first being the Love Ulster riots in 2006.
In a statement issued to Her, Lidl had explained: “We are aware of the very serious incident at our Fortunestown Lane store this evening.
“Given that the incident is now the subject of a criminal investigation we are not in a position to comment further at this time.”
I am beyond furious. Back in the 80’s if anyone had attempted to loot my Dad’s grocery store in the middle of a national weather emergency they would have received no compassion or excuses. I have family in Tallaght. They don’t condone scumbags. Nor do I. #Lidl
— Audrey Muddiman (@AudMud) March 3, 2018
A later statement added: “As our store on Fortunestown Lane was closed when the incident occurred this evening, we can confirm no member of our team has been injured.”
There has been widespread criticism of the burglaries on social media.
Talking to one of my older neighbours, he was in tears about the carry on in Lidl earlier, he can’t walk further than the Lidl, but that was his little trip everyday, up for his few bits and pieces and all the staff loved him and he had great banter with them, so upset 💔
— polly molotov ♥️💙💚💛💜💖🍍 (@NursepollyRgn) March 3, 2018
One woman from that area stated on Twitter: “Talking to one of my older neighbours, he was in tears about the carry on in Lidl earlier, he can’t walk further than the Lidl, but that was his little trip everyday, up for his few bits and pieces and all the staff loved him and he had great banter with them, so upset.”
The tweet later prompted 1.7K likes.
