Supermarket to maintain reduced delivery service

TESCO has said it is engaging with gardaí and keeping a decision to operate a reduced delivery service to some areas of Tallaght under review because of anti-social behaviour.

The retailer said last week that in recent months they took the decision to operate a reduced delivery service to “a very small number of areas in West Tallaght to protect the safety of our colleagues”.

“This decision is as a result of incidents of anti-social behaviour in these locations,” a Tesco spokes-person said.

Local TD, Seán Crowe (SF), said he was disappointed with a reply he had received from Tesco management regarding his request for them to review and resume household deliveries to a number of estates in Tallaght.

“A horrific attack on a Tesco van driver back in April (involving a pellet that was allegedly fired at a driver) resulted in household grocery deliveries being suspended to number of estates in Tallaght,” Deputy Crowe said.

“This action, while understandable following attacks, has caused huge difficulties for older or less physically able members of the community or residents without access to a car.

“Having been approached recently by a number of these residents I wrote to Tesco man-agement to see if they would consider resuming deliveries. The reply was a negative which is extremely disappointing for residents.

“While I recognise there is ongoing policing challenges in some areas this is, in my opinion, giving in to a minority of criminal elements and making the wider community and the most vulnerable suffer.

“The residents impacted by this decision deserve better as do delivery drivers going into any Tallaght estate.”

Deputy Crowe added: “I was hoping that Tesco would show some flexibility after this length of time and I suggested that they might consider making deliveries early in the morning or during daylight hours but this suggestion has also been ruled out by Tesco management. 

 “In response to this I have asked senior gardai in Tallaght to liaise with them and see if can they be persuaded to return to carrying out deliveries in safety to all areas of my constituency.

“I believe a proven template does exist for tackling many of these incidents,” Deputy Crowe added. “Local residents working together with youth groups, the local authority, public representatives, local leaders and Garda authorities can reduce and resolve many of these incidents but it needs imagination and a more proactive approach.”

A Tesco spokesperson added: “We understand that this may be inconvenient for some customers, but the safety of our colleagues is of paramount importance.

“We continue to keep this decision under review and will advise of any further developments.”