The Irish Department of Justice is preparing a new Retail Crime Strategy that will allow repeat shoplifters to be banned from returning to shops and shopping areas they have previously targeted. The plan, discussed at a high-level meeting attended by Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan and senior officials, is aimed at tackling a sharp rise in retail theft, which is being made worse by prison overcrowding and a "revolving door" system that sees offenders released and reoffending almost immediately.

Central Statistics Office figures show 33,913 thefts from shops in the year to the first quarter of 2026, averaging more than 90 incidents a day and costing businesses around €4.4 million daily. Alongside barring orders, the strategy will include increased high-visibility policing and better data-sharing between retailers and gardaí, with updates to the Public Order Acts also under consideration. Retail groups welcomed the proposal but warned it will only work if properly enforced by gardaí and backed by tougher sentencing.