Three charged after violent armed robbery at Clondalkin shop

By Maurice Garvey

TERRORISED staff at a newsagent have been left so traumatised by the latest violent armed robbery, that many have decided not to return to work.

Armed raiders threatened and assaulted staff at the More 4 Less store in Bawnogue shopping centre shortly before 3pm on Monday – the second armed robbery in four days at the Clondalkin store, and their seventh robbery this year.

Clondalkin gardaí, assisted by a burglary response unit and detectives from Harcourt Square, followed the raiders to nearby Lealand estate, entered a house, and found three males in their 20s with a sum of cash.

During a follow-up search a firearm was recovered.

Three men were charged on Wednesday at Blanchardstown District Court with aggravated burglary at the More 4 Less store on July 14 and July 18, and remanded to appear again in court on July 28.

Among those charged was Richard McGreevy (20), a Lealand Gardens resident.

The robbery on Monday was the most violent one yet, with the gunman punching and hitting employees, including a teenager working the till.

As a result, most of the staff have decided not to return to work this week, leaving just a few members to keep the shop open for a community that relies on them.

“This was the worst one yet,” a staff member told The Echo.

“Everyone is shook up. The guy with the gun was very violent, hitting and punching staff, and grabbing a girl behind the till.

He walked calmly down the aisle and booted open the office door, hit another staff member in the head, and took money from the safe.

“There were over 10 customers in the store when it happened – young and old. It was a busy summer’s day inside and outside. A few made a run for the door. It was a state of panic.”

He continued: “We need a massive crackdown on this. We feel it was the same group – late teens, early 20s. People like this shouldn’t be running around with firearms.”

“The shop is facing an uncertain future. Some of the staff have said they are not coming back, whilst others have yet to decide. We have kept one till open. A lot of elderly people depend on us, but are dealing with limited resources and have to play it by ear at the moment.”

Residents from Lealand Gardens this week told The Echo of their relief that three men were apprehended, citing weekly parties at the bungalow premises, which has subsequently been boarded up by authorities.

Residents have started a petition to oppose one of the men’s return to the community.