75% of chemists have been hit by crime

As many as three quarters of Irish pharmacies were victims of crime last year, a new study shows.

Pharmacies are being subjected to shoplifting, robberies, and raids, with staff being subjected to knife, syringe, and gun attacks, according to a crime survey by the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU).

Calling for tougher sentencing, more CCTV cameras and a more visible Garda presence, the IPU says that, over the last year, 75% of pharmacies were victims of crime and 82% of those pharmacies experienced two or more criminal incidents.