[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Locals are outraged as a three local business were broken into in Stepaside village on Tuesday morning.
The shop fronts of Fleming’s Butchers, Borza’s and Simply Fresh were smashed in and cash was taken.
A Gardai spokesperson told Dublin Gazette that a man in his 20s has been arrested in relation to all three burglaries.
“He is currently detained in Dundrum Garda station under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
“The stolen property and cash was also recovered.”
Speaking to Dublin Gazette just after the theft, Michael Fleming of Fleming’s Butchers told us what happened.
“It’s terrible. I’m tidying it up now. The front was smashed. It’s the second time within a year it happened.
“It happened at about 6.15am this morning. One man on his own in a black car broke into Flemings, Simply Fresh and then he went around and broke into the chipper Borza.
“He got a small amount of cash out of every shop and done damage to the front of each shop.”
Mr Fleming said on the CCTV it looked like one man on his own wearing a hi-vis jacket and he had a tool bag with him.
“You could’ve even thought he was going to work. There’s a lot of builders around the area now and he just blended in.”
He added that people in the village heard some noise in the village.
“The lads above the shop and neighbours heard the banging, but the Centra truck had just been in the village so there’s a lot of banging and moving around at 6 o’clock in the morning in the village so that’s probably why nobody looked out.
“But one guy did look out and saw the car outside his house and he reported that to the Guards.
“There’s a change of shift with the Guards so they didn’t get up until about 8 o’clock so he was well gone.
“I believe it was a stolen car that was taken on the 2nd of November from Cabinteely that he used.”
Mr Fleming said the break-ins show how badly needed a Garda Station is needed in the area.
Local Minister Shane Ross said: “Stepaside will remain defenceless until the Garda Station re-opens next year. Delays have invited unwelcome elements who can carry out these types of crimes at will.”
Local Minister and TD Josepha Madigan suggested the need for a CCTV security system in the village.
She said: “As well as reopening the Garda Station, it might be important to consider increased CCTV in the village, to ensure that crimes like this do not happen again.”
Local Councillor, Lettie Mc Carthy (LAB) said: “I know how hard Lisa, Paolo and Michael work and this is very disheartening for them. The entire justice system needs to be reviewed because at the moment there is nothing to deter these criminals.”
Dublin Rathdown TD and Deputy Leader of the Green Party, Catherine Martin has also condemned the multiple break-ins.
“These break-ins occurred within sight of the Stepaside Garda station building – and it goes to show exactly why the community in Stepaside has been crying out for the re-opening of their Garda station for the last five years.
“I would urge the Government to ensure that works on the station are completed as quickly as possible.”
Locals quickly took to social media to pour out their disgust to the news.
Facebook group Stepaside Dublin commented: “We need our Garda Station reopened ASAP.”
Nicki Tubritt said: “Absolutely shocking, my own business was broken into three weeks ago in Cornelscourt and it’s an awful thing to have to go through. My heart goes out to all the businesses targeted.”
Julie Ní Donnchú said: “Just awful. My heart goes out to the businesses/people involved. These scumbags need to be caught. The Garda station needs to reopen today!!!”
Linda J Gaynor said: “Sorry to hear all these great local businesses vandalized last night. Support local businesses to get back on their feet.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
