By C.J.McGinley
A WELL known Letterkenny shop owner has described a gang robbery at his premises as the 'most frightening experience' of his 26 years in business.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Mr Paddy Delap, of Clarkes Newsagents, Lower Main Street, said he was 'stunned' by the level of intimidation and havoc caused by a gang of up to nine who targeted his premises.
Mr Delap said the gang caused absolute mayhem, intimidating himself and customers and throwing magazines and items all over the shop in an effort to distract him before making off with over ¤4,500 worth of cigarettes.
"I was completely disorientated and stunned by this gang who were foreign nationals. There were about nine of them, men and women. It was without doubt the most frightening experience I have ever had in 26 years of business in the town, and I have seen some things in my time," he said.
Shouted and roared
"They came in and shouted and roared at me to get out and then started to throw magazines and other items in the shop all over the place. They wouldn't leave the shop. It was all a ploy to get me distracted and to rob the place.
"Two customers, who are witnesses, left the shop in disgust. The robbery lasted for about 10 minutes before they made off. It was only after they left that I checked the shelves in the store and realised the stock of cigarettes was looted," he said.
He immediately contacted the gardai who are investigating the matter. The incident happened on Bank Holiday Monday but Mr Delap only spoke for the first time of his ordeal on Friday.
"I'd appeal to any other business owners to be vigilant. These people are ruthless. I've never seen them before in my life but there were similar incidents in different places over recent times. Business owners need to be alert and on their guard for attacks likes this again," he said.
A prominent member of the local Chamber of Commerce, Mr Delap said he had been completely 'disorientated' during the ordeal.
"The thing that annoys me is that I'm in the chamber and involved in the garda watch programme where we are briefed to be on the alert for attacks like this. We work with gardai like Paul Wallace and Gerry Davenport but I wasn't able to deal with the situation that confronted me. I wasn't prepared so I'd appeal to other businesses to be on high alert," he said.
