‘No’ to deliveries in certain areas
TESCO’S decision not to resume deliveries to certain areas of West Tallaght, where escalating levels of anti-social behaviour saw delivery drivers being robbed, culminating in one of their delivery drivers being shot below the eye with a ball-bearing on Killinarden Hill last April, has been described as “extremely disappointing”.
As previously reported in The Echo, several Tesco delivery drivers had items robbed from the back of their vans and, in some instances, their personal belongings were also stolen, while another driver got hit just below the eye when a ball-bearing came through the closed driver-side window of his van.
TESCO’S decision not to resume deliveries
The story garnered national attention, and Tesco’s delivery services have since been suspended in several areas of West Tallaght as a result of these incidents.
Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West, Seán Crowe, contacted the supermarket giant this week to see if there are any plans for the delivery services to be reinstated in the affected areas, however Tesco stated that there are no plans at present for delivery services to resume in those areas.
Deputy Crowe said: “A horrific attack on a Tesco van driver back in April (involving a pellet that was allegedly fired at a driver) resulted in household grocery deliveries being suspended to number of estates in Tallaght.
“This action, while understandable following attacks, has caused huge difficulties for older or less physically able members of the community or residents without access to a car.
“Having been approached recently by a number of these residents I wrote to Tesco management to see if they would consider resuming deliveries.
“The reply was a negative which is extremely disappointing for residents. While I recognise there is ongoing policing challenges in some areas, this is in my opinion giving in to a minority of criminal elements and making the wider community and the most vulnerable suffer.
“I was hoping that Tesco would be show some flexibility after this length of time and I suggested that they might consider making deliveries early in the morning or during daylight hours but this suggestion has also been ruled out by Tesco management.
“There is clearly a lack of confidence by Tesco management in the ability of Garda authorities to police certain estates.
“In response to this I have asked Senior Garda in Tallaght to liaise with them and see if can they be persuaded to return to carrying out deliveries in safety to all areas of my constituency.”
Tesco told Deputy Crowe that the decision to suspend deliveries was taken “to protect the safety of staff and customers” and that they would keep their decision not to resume deliveries “under review”.
