Traders back shop owner in racism row

TRADERS have backed a shop owner who has been accused of racism after displaying photographs of Romany gypsies in her store following a spate of shoplifting.

Joan Lucey, the owner of independent Cork-based book store chain, Vibes & Scribes, denied she was being racist and said she felt she had no other option.

“We are being made out as the villains here when in actual fact, we are the victims. The bottom line is I need to protect my staff and stock,” she said.