Horrific experience as staff held at knifepoint during robbery
By Aideen O'Flaherty
STAFF of Meagher’s Pharmacy in Castletymon Shopping Centre were held at knifepoint during a robbery on Friday evening, when a sum of cash was taken.
This is the second time in recent weeks that the pharmacy has been robbed, as another robbery took place in mid-December.
Castletymon Shopping Centre, the scene of the robbery
The Echo understands that staff were closing the shop on Friday evening when they were approached by thieves who had their faces covered and were armed with knives, and a sum of cash was then robbed from the premises.
Independent councillor Mick Duff told The Echo: “This was a very traumatic experience for the shop’s employees, who do vital work for the community.
“The community are horrified about this, they’re up in arms over it. The shopkeepers down here need better protection.”
In a separate incident, the Centra in Castletymon Shopping Centre was also robbed in late December.
Cllr Duff added that there should be more gardai in the locality to tackle the issue of robberies from the shopping centre’s units, and is calling on anyone with information to contact gardai.
“If anyone has any information that might lead to the apprehension of these people, then I would urge them to contact the guards,” he said.
Gardai are also interested in hearing from residents in nearby St Aonghus Crescent who have CCTV, according to Cllr Duff, to help them ascertain how the robbers left the scene.
A spokesperson for Meaghers Pharmacy was contacted by The Echo, however they said they had “no comment” to make on the matter.
A garda spokesperson confirmed to The Echo that two instances of robbery occurred at units in Castletymon Shopping Centre, one on January 3 and another on December 19, and that in both cases a sum of cash was taken.
No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.
Members of the public with information on the robberies can contact Tallaght Garda Station on 01 666 6000, or if they would like to remain anonymous, they can call Crimestoppers on 1800 25 00 25.
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