Retailers demand tougher measures to combat underage thieves 

Complaints to gardaí by retailers have increased by 14% over the past 12 months.

Retailers have demanded tougher measures to combat underage thieves as the industry reels from a surge in robberies and violence towards staff spirals out of control.

Shop owners have described to the Oireachtas trade committee of being assaulted by gangs of young robbers and having weapons pulled on them.