Elderly woman has stolen purse 'dumped in bin' while doing grocery shop in Limerick

A 71-year-old who had her purse stolen while reaching up to put groceries in her shopping cart has called for more awareness around thieves targeting older women.

Angelina (Angie) Mullane was subject to a premeditated theft while grocery shopping in Dunnes Stores, Childers Road, Limerick on Thursday July 4.

A weekly routine to the same store, Ms Mullane had her purse stolen from her trolley while reaching for an item. She had not realised it had been stolen until she reached the tills.

A substantial amount of money was taken and her purse was dumped in a bin outside. Her prescription medication, however, was not stolen by the perpetrators. 

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“I was going to use the money in my purse for car tax and my grandchild’s birthday gift and the groceries I was about to buy. I also had a nice bit of loose change, all of that was taken too. 

“The purse itself is sentimental to me, because my late sister gave it to me as a gift. Dunnes was robbed that day, as was I, and so many people before me. 

“It made me angry, the lack of customer care I received. Nobody rang me to tell me my purse was found, I had to find out from a regular member of staff that it had been dumped in a bin outside the next Thursday, when I went up to shop. They didn’t even let me know!

Although Ms Mullane said she was ‘angry’ at the lack of aftercare she received from Dunnes Stores, as a regular shopper, she typically finds the staff helpful.

“I know there are more important things going on in this bloody world, but I just want to make women my age more aware because we are being targeted.

“I feel Dunnes should be responsible somehow and let more people know that this is happening everyday of the week.”

It is understood that CCTV footage captured two females following Ms Mullane around the store, one in front of her and the other behind her.

However, gardaí have said no arrests have yet been made in relation to the incident. 

“Gardaí are investigating an incident of theft from a person that occurred on July 4, at approximately 1pm, in a retail premises on Childers Road, Limerick City,”  a spokesperson confirmed.

“A sum of cash was taken. No arrests have been made.”

Dunnes Stores has been contacted for comment.