‘Let gardaí share shoplifter data’

The justice and data protection ministers have been asked to change data protection laws to help gardaí tackle shoplifting crime.

It follows a 27% spike in shoplifting offences in the Cork City garda division in recent months — the first increase since 2008 in shoplifting offences in an area which includes the city centre and large retail hubs in Blackpool, Mahon Point, Wilton, Douglas, and Ballincollig.

Chief Superintendent Michael Finn described the increase as “significant”.