Kildare Village customers are paying the cost of thefts from shops there - judge

The customers of Kildare Village pay the price for thefts that occur at the outlets trading at the location.

Most of the incidents of alleged theft that take place there are ultimately prosecuted at Naas District Court and these cases frequently appear on the list of cases heard.

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Judge Miriam Walsh said that people go there because they like to enjoy some luxury and the prices are generally reduced.

They visit “to enjoy the luxury of designer items at a reduced rate,” she said.

The judge said that any costs incurred because of thefts will be passed on to customers in the form of price increases.

“The rest of us have to suffer because we will pay higher prices,” she said.

She was speaking as a man appeared before her connection with the alleged theft of goods from Nike and Fossil. An estimated €1,200 worth of goods was taken from the Fossil store alone.

He was one of two who allegedly visited the centre and this man has spent some time in custody

The court heard that in this instance all of the items were recovered - and the judge observed that this only happened because security staff intervened and not because the goods were actually handed back by those who took them.

Judge Walsh also noted that there was no excuse in this case such as stealing to buy food or to fund a drug habit.

There are over 100 designer and fashion outlets trading at Kildare Village ,just off the motorway adjacent to Kildare town.

It employs about 1,500 people and attracts an estimated four million visitors annually.