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These are the terrifying images of an armed shop robbery in which a boy of 10 had a gun pointed at his head.

Employees at the More4Less Food store in Bawnogue Shopping Centre in Clondalkin, West Dublin, believe the same man was involved in raids last Friday and on Sunday.

The gunman operated solo on Friday but brought an accomplice for his second robbery – during which a gun was pointed at the terrified boy.

The pair fled with a small amount of cash, heading on foot towards Alpine Heights.

The attacks follow multiple robberies of businesses at the shopping centre in recent months, along with a long-standing problem of anti-social behaviour.

A More4Less employee said: “The majority of people in Bawnogue are good but we want the community to take a stand.

"Pointing a gun at the boy really hit me.

"He was looking at toys on the shelf when the guy came in and brandished the gun around, but if the gun goes off.

“There’s a lot of kids, around 20-30 of them, hanging out outside, intimidating staff, throwing eggs, trying to pull the shutters down.

"It’s got progressively worse.

"You can’t turn your back for a moment or they’re in and it’s not even like they want to steal, but just to cause damage.”

Gardai in Clondalkin have facilitated a business watch meeting for retailers in Bawnogue, Greenpark, Woodford and Kingswood shopping centres, at the Green Isle Hotel, on April 13.

A Garda spokesman said: “Gardai are investigating incident in which a lone male, entered a Bawnogue shop on April 1 before 8pm.

"He is believed to be in possession of a black hand-gun. Threatened staff, left with a small amount of cash. No injuries reported.

“On April 3, a similar incident, this time two males entered the premises.

"One in possession of a black hand-gun and the other male had a long kitchen knife.

"Again, staff were threatened, and they left with a small amount of cash, and fled on foot in the direction of Alpine Heights.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Clondalkin Garda station at 666 7600.