“The Government and I are resolute in tackling Retail Crime,” Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan told Senator Mary Fitzpatrick in the Seanad. The Minister acknowledged the impact of retail crime on independent shops saying ‘this is not a victimless crime” and “something needs to be done to ensure there is enforcement of the law when it comes to shoplifting, which poses a significant threat to the economic welfare of Irish retailers.”

The Department of Justice is developing a Retail Crime Strategy, the Minister confirmed saying he was considering updating the public order Acts to “allow a prolific offender of retail crime to be excluded from a premises for a period.” He promised much stronger protection for retailers in the Defamation Act when it comes back before the Dáil and highlighted how prolific shoplifting and retail crime offenders were being targeted by the ongoing Garda Operation Táirge.