Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We did not have to lock the door of the premises where I worked but one still had to be cognisant and to always be on guard. Two people had to man the floor at all times. Even if somebody went into the back office to put a battery in a watch one was always conscious of security. Like Ms Horan said about working in the pharmacy where she was attacked, one constantly feels uneasy and must watch everyone who enters the premises.

I shall recount an incident in which, thankfully, I was not injured. The minute I saw a particular man come in the door of the short I knew I was in trouble. He asked to look at some engagement rings that were displayed in the window. I specifically remember asking him whether he wanted to see rings containing white or yellow gold and he said platinum. I told him that we did not stock platinum rings even though we did. To cut a long story short, I took the cheapest tray of silver rings from underneath the display. It was obvious to me that he was high on something but at the same time one is obliged to serve the customer.