Irish shop owner gets death threat after confronting man who dumped chicken wings on floor

Gardaí have launched an investigation after a prominent Irish shop owner says he received a threat to his life - as he asked a customer to pick up his litter.

Shane Gleeson, who runs a number of Spar shops across Limerick, says he was left “shaking” following the incident which took place at his petrol station at Hurlers Cross in Castletroy’s Dublin Road.

“Four guys came in, they bought food in the deli. Then they were in the forecourt eating their chicken wings and they threw them onto the ground. So I came up and politely asked them if they minded putting them in the bin,” said Mr Gleeson of the incident, which took place at lunchtime last Saturday.

Following this request, he said the four men used expletives, with one making a threat to kill him.

He said he told them if they left the rubbish behind, he would report them to the gardai for littering.

It was following this that the driver of the car got out, and shouted loudly at Mr Gleeson - pictured below - issuing a further threat to kill him.

The incident has been captured on CCTV, which the businessman has provided to officers at Henry Street garda station in the city.

“I was shaken. I felt I had to retreat into the shop. I was really upset with it. I felt this guy could follow through on his threat,” he added.

Mr Gleeson believes the man was aged in his mid to late 30s.

Immediately following the incident, he drove to Henry Street station to report it.

“If he’d have just picked up the stuff, I'd have been happy as Larry. But they were eating their stuff and littering, and I wasn't going to accept that in my petrol station,” he said.

Mr Gleeson praised the gardai for their support.

“The whole thing has been brutal. There is no way anyone should accept this behaviour. I'm 40 years behind a till, nearly 60 years of age. To have a fella doing this is completely unacceptable,” he said.

A garda spokesperson said investigations are ongoing.