Irish rip off crew scarper

POLICE say Gold Coasters allegedly ripped off by a large group of Irish tourists on a state-wide crime spree may never see their money repaid.

Up to 20 of the group – who have been shoplifting and ripping off restaurants across Brisbane and the Gold Coast – were yesterday believed to have fled Australia.

Another scam linked to them involved one elderly Gold Coaster who forked out $25,000 for roofing repairs that were never completed.

Detective Superintendent Tony Fleming said police believed four of the group – two men and two women – may still be in the country.

Det. Supt. Fleming said widespread publicity of the alleged group’s photos combined with community and police cooperation was likely to have prompted their departures.

He understood they had taken multiple flights to parts of Asia and called it a “very good outcome for prevention of crime”.

“I don’t have additional reports of any further crimes and I think it’s safe to assume that’s the result of general media.”

Members of the group, including well-dressed mums with kids in tow, are alleged to have shoplifted $100 of meat from SPAR Chevron Island, the Bulletin revealed yesterday

Det. Supt. Fleming said police alerted Border Force officials about the group but still had to proceed on the basis of innocent until proven guilty.

Asked if out-of-pocket victims might never see compensation, he said: “Yes it’s possible.”

Bringing any of the accused back for prosecution would involve “signficant cost to the community”.