Eight arrested in Kildare over retail thefts

Kildare Gardaí arrested five women and three women in relation to thefts from retail premises. 

On Monday, members of An Garda Síochána in Kildare North carried out a day of action as part of Operation Táirge, an ongoing initiative to tackle retail crime and related offences.

As a result, 8 people were arrested and charged with theft offences.

A total of 11 charges are being brought against the eight individuals (five females and three males).

Gardaí said one woman appeared in court on Monday. The remaining individuals are scheduled to appear before the courts in the coming weeks.

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Operation Táirge is part of An Garda Síochána’s Crime Prevention and Reduction Strategy supporting operational activity aimed at detecting and preventing Organised Retail Crime (ORC).

ORC typically refers to situations where a number of persons are acting together, targeting retailer outlets to steal significant quantities of goods to resell back into the retail supply chain through the black market.

It can also involve refund fraud with the purpose of making a financial or material benefit.

ORC is usually co-ordinated and well-organised by people who recruit others to commit theft from retailers.

Operation Táirge is led by the Organised Retail Crime Tasking and Co-ordination Group within An Garda Síochána and supports each Garda region to monitor and respond to emerging trends in their area.