41 PEOPLE ARE DUE to appear before court today as part of a garda operation targeting retail theft and organised retail crime across south Dublin.

The defendants are expected to appear before Dún Laoghaire District Court facing a range of charges linked to alleged retail theft and associated offences.

The court appearances follow a series of operations carried out under Operation Táirge, a national garda initiative aimed at tackling organised retail crime and shoplifting.

Since early May, gardaí have been conducting intelligence-led operations alongside local retailers and business groups across southeast Dublin. The operation has included the establishment of a dedicated garda unit focused on retail crime.

Gardaí said a further 15 children also arrested as part of the investigation have been referred to the Youth Diversion Programme, while 25 more serious offenders have already appeared before the courts.

Organised retail crime typically involves groups of people working together to steal large quantities of goods from shops for resale on the black market. It can also include refund fraud and other schemes designed to generate financial gain.

Gardaí said investigations remain ongoing and confirmed that a second phase of the operation is due to begin in the coming weeks.