'Absolutely wrecked' - Burglars target Clare shop less than 24 hours after grand opening

INVESTIGATIONS are underway after a commercial premises on the outskirts of Limerick city was broken into and ransacked, less than 24 hours after its grand-opening.

Barron’s Spar in Blackwater, near Parteen opened on Tuesday following a major refurbishment which took place over the last number of months.

Taking to social media this Wednesday, businesswoman Alannah Barron confirmed the shop would remain closed and that a clean-up was underway.

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"Unfortunately we were broken into last night - after all the hard work we put in over the past few months - all the mod cons and everything that went into this store," she said.

In her video post, which has been widely shared, Alannah said significant damage was caused by the perpetrators. "They absolutely wrecked the shop. They smashed the window with a big rock, cigarettes everywhere," she said.

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A post shared by Barronsblackwater (@barronsblackwater)

"Unfortunately the place inside is just wrecked. It's just so disheartening after all the hard work my family and I have put into this store and to walk in now and see everything undone - all our shelving is wrecked, tables, stock are everywhere. Behind the till, out new fancy till system.... Oh God!," she added.

The burglary has been reported to gardai and an investigation is underway.

"Gardaí received a report of an incident of burglary that occurred at a commercial premises in the Blackwater area, Co. Clare on Wednesday, March 25 2026 at approximately 5:50am. A number of items have been reported as stolen. A technical examination of the scene has been conducted," said a spokesperson.