Shocking scenes from Dublin as looters wreck Lidl supermarket

There have been some shocking scenes from Dublin as looters attacked a Lidl supermarket then destroyed part of the building with an excavator. 

Authorities are on the scene in response to major looting and property damage at a Lidl store on Fortunestown Lane in Citywest, Dublin after looters allegedly broke into the establishment, ransacked the store, and then smashed part of the building with a reportedly stolen construction excavator. 

Police were called to the supermarket in Tallaght around 5 pm local time after reports that some 30 people had raided the shop, which had been closed as Ireland is under weather alert due to  Storm Emma and the Beast from the East weather pattern. 

Video shared widely on social media showed a crowd gathered as an excavator/digger smashed the corner off of the supermarket's exterior. Another captured apparent attempts to open a safe stolen from the store with the same construction equipment. 

Lidl reported via their social media that they are aware of the incident but could not comment further as a criminal investigation is underway: 

Please see below statement in relation to the incident at our branch at Fortunestown Lane, Dublin pic.twitter.com/jl8PD57Vcx

— Lidl Ireland (@lidl_ireland) March 2, 2018

“An Garda Siochana is responding to a number of incidents in the Tallaght area. A number of arrests have been made,” a spokesman told the Irish Times. 

“A gang of young men broke in, robbed the store and smashed it up as well. It is very disappointing that shop was looted at a time when emergency services are so busy,” local Fine Gael Councillor Brian Lawlor told the paper. 

“The looters robbed all types of alcohol from the shop and then smashed the place up too causing possibly thousands of euro worth of damage.” 

Two other Lidl stores were allegedly targeted as well. 

Dublin Fire Brigade was initially called to the scene after reports that fire had broken out, but that proved not to be the case. 

Digger is real, fire isn't - Before you share those fake photos of fire at Lidl, ask yourself where's the snow? where are the railings? Why is the street lamp in a different direction #Lidl #Tallaght #CityWest #Jobstown pic.twitter.com/B4AwXYpKyS

— Will St Leger (@WillStLeger) March 2, 2018