A business owner in Cork city who is spending a quarter of a million euro on security says he feels like he's fighting a losing battle against shoplifting
CSO figures show shoplifting in the Cork city garda division rose by 86% last year on 2023 figures
Kevin Herlihy owns seven Centra stores across Cork and says €250 worth of alcohol is being stolen every week from his Patrick Street store
Speaking on the Neil Prendeville Show he says gangs are also recruiting minors to "steal-to-order"
"We have an issue where there are gangs of teenagers in the city centre and indeed, some of our stores outside of the city centre, they're sending in individuals as young as thirteen to steal things like vapes, etc. They're putting them up online and selling them off within an hour or two"
