'No reason not to feel safe': Longford retailers reassure customers after bomb hoax shuts businesses
Reassuring patrons of the safety of shopping in Longford was the primary message coming from Longford retailers after a hoax bomb scare caused hysteria in the town over the weekend.
Longford businesses are counting the cost of the prank bomb alert that saw two major retail premises evacuated.
The two calls were reported to Longford Gardaí on the afternoon of Saturday, August 12, 2023 regarding suspicious devices.
Longford Shopping Centre and Dunnes Stores were cleared and the scenes were preserved to allow authorities conduct the investigation.
Gardaí liaised with specialist search resources and the Irish Defence Forces as well as management of the retail premises.
No devices were located in the searches and the locations were deemed safe. Gardaí are treating the call as a hoax and investigations into the circumstances are ongoing.
Samuel Byrne, Manager of Longford Shopping Centre, said it was difficult to quantify the cost of the prank: “I don't have a figure for it yet,” he told the Leader, “We closed from 5:30 on Saturday and didn't reopen until Sunday morning.”
Up to 15 security personnel undertook a search of the Shopping Centre before giving it the all clear. The implications of such a hoax for businesses are wide ranging, more than the loss on the evening.
Samuel says shoppers can rest assured that shopping in Longford is safe: “Obviously everything is deemed a hoax and nothing was found. There is no reason not to feel safe. The response from the Gardaí and the Defence Forces fills us with confidence. We are in safe hands.”
Gardaí would appeal to anyone with information in relation to these calls to contact Gardaí at Longford Garda Station on 043 335 0570 the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.