TWO Irish farmers shocked a pair of thieves who stole eggs from them after turning up at their house to get their produce back.
Norman and Michael Dunne, the owners of Dunne’s Farm in Maynooth, County Kildare, caught the brazen theft on CCTV on Saturday.
The unnamed duo made off with 270 eggs and two bags of potatoes but were not expecting to be confronted so soon after.
The owners had tracked the thieves – and their eggs – down within 30 minutes and paid them a visit to recover the goods.
Following a separate problem with the same person repeatedly stealing eggs over a two-year period, they have now issued a warning to deter anyone thinking of trying their luck.
CCTV footage on the farm shows the two blokes approaching the wooden shed at the side of the road, both making feeble attempts to cover their faces.
The first holds a hat over his face with one hand, then realises he needs both hands to carry the eggs, so has to resort to keeping his head down.
He hides his face behind the four trays of eggs he lifts from the counter.
The second has his hood up, but much of his face is still visible.
He picks up a further five trays of eggs and holds them with one arm while grabbing two bags of potatoes with the other hand.
The video then cuts to Norman and Michael’s point of view as they walk up the driveway of a large house.
The front door is open, and the first of the thieving blokes walks towards them with a carrier bag.
He hands this over, then returns with three trays of eggs and a sheepish look on his face.
The footage was shared to social media yesterday with the caption: “Another one for the wall of shame.
“This is the reason there were no eggs left yesterday for anyone else. They thought by parking on the road and covering their faces they would get away scot-free.
“Nearly caused an accident parked up on the bad bend.
“Wish I had a video of the shock on their faces when we showed up to their lovely house within 30 minutes.
“Not all eggs and potatoes were recovered but they had to pay.
“These people walk amongst you. And they are always really, really sorry. Only sorry they got caught.
“If you steal, expect a call and expect to be tarred and feathered.”
It has since received over 44,000 likes and more than 1,900 comments from social media users keen to share their reactions.
One said: “Well done, it’s a shame you have to spend your time doing this but fair play for posting this.”
A second commented: “Glad you got your produce back, no shame.”
Another wrote: “Should have charged them €10 for every egg or potato missing, not like they could argue.”
A fourth added: “As someone that sells eggs and has a loyalty box this makes me so angry. Absolutely awful.”
Another quipped: “I just don’t understand why they’d want to steal that many eggs anyway?
“Unless you’ve got 12 wedding cakes you forgot about for the next day then why would there be any need?”
