'Parents force kids to steal or face violence if they come home empty-handed'

Shane Gleeson owns five Spar stores in Limerick: 'Most of the time we see them and stop them from coming in. However, they start crying telling us 'our dad is going to kill us' and what do you do then?' Picture: Brendan Gleeson

Children are being forced to go out late at night to shoplift for their parents and face violence if they fail to return with what is demanded.

Support charity Childline has told how children are contacting it out of desperation after being caught stealing by the shop owners.