Latest news with #Lidl
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Wickow man (67) who drove with Lidl manager on his bonnet after checkout row escapes jail term
Wicklow People A retired tradesman has avoided prison over an incident in a supermarket car park in Wicklow in which he drove a short distance with a store manager on the bonnet of his vehicle following a row at a checkout. Thomas O'Connor (67) of Two Mile House, Ballinteskin, Co Wicklow pleaded guilty to a charge of endangerment over the incident at the Lidl supermarket on Rathnew Road, Co Wicklow on July 3, 2023 contrary to Section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Sunscreens RANKED - from best buys to those to avoid at all costs... as consumer watchdog reveals one 'ineffective' £28 cream could pose safety risk
A £28 sunscreen, marketed as 'perfect for the whole family', has failed a safety test carried out by Which?—despite claiming to be 'especially suitable' for children. The revelation may have left consumers asking which sun creams they can actually trust. Consumer watchdog Which? tested 15 popular SPF50 and SPF30 products from high-street names and supermarkets, using strict international safety standards. Each was assessed for ultraviolet (UV) protection and SPF protection, and rated for ease of use by a panel of volunteers. Two were labelled 'Don't Buys' after failing key tests, while seven earned a 'Best Buy' status, scoring highest overall. Another two were also labelled 'great value' options, for offering people a cost-effective option to protect against the sun's UV rays. To trial the creams, scientists applied a small amount on volunteers' backs, before shining a lamp on the patch to simulate the sun's rays. The time it takes for the skin to become red was then measured. In another test, scientists took a sample of the cream and spread it onto a glass plate to measure the absorption of UV radiation directly. To pass, the sunscreen needed to provide at least one third of the claimed SPF. For example, a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 will take 30 times longer to damage your skin compared to no protection at all. Here we reveal the full list of 2025 test results, ranked from most to least effective. Lidl Cien Sun Protect Spray SPF30 The bargain product was given the 'great value' seal of approval by the watchdog, after the panel found it passed both key tests, was easy to apply and 'smelled great'. They did, however, note it felt 'a bit greasy on skin' after application. £3.49 Shop Boots Soltan Protect & Moisturise Lotion SPF30 Which? said the product offered 'excellent UVA and UVB protection'. UVA and UVB protection are both crucial in sunscreen because they address different types of harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, which can raise the risk of skin damage and cancer. UVB rays are primarily responsible for sunburn, while UVA rays penetrate deeper, causing premature aging and wrinkles. £5.50 Shop Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture Lotion SPF30 The product passed both SPF and UVA tests. It's only downside, Which? said, was the cost. £8.65 Shop Sainsbury's SPF30 Moisturising Lotion The consumer watchdog had no major concerns with the product it said and provides exactly the level of sun protection that it claims. £5.75 Shop Superdrug Solait Sun Spray SPF30 Which? said the product 'delivers on SPF and UVA claims' and 'no major issues' at all. £5.50 Shop The factor 30's to avoid Morrisons Moisturising Sun Spray SPF30 Price: £3.75/200ml After testing the product twice, Morrisons sun spray failed to provide the 'claimed level of protection from UVB rays', Which? said. After informing Morrisons of its results, the supermarket giant told Which? it was looking closely at the data and working with its supplier to carry out additional independent testing. Ultrasun Family SPF30 Price: £28/150ml Ultrasun's product passed the SPF test but didn't meet the minimum required UVA level for an SPF30 product in either the initial or repeat test. Responding to the findings, the company said: 'Ultrasun is fully confident in our testing protocols. 'As an independent brand delivering very high UVB and UVA protection options for over 30 years, our detailed testing processes continue to not only meet but surpass industry standards. 'Our chosen testing protocol is one of the strictest available, and our UVB and UVA filters are tested both in-vitro and in-vivo. 'We conclusively support the results of our independent tests which found the Ultrasun Family SPF30 reached a UVB-SPF in vivo of 31.4 and a UVA-PF in vitro of 13.1, which equates to a 92% UVA absorbance.' Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced Sun Spray SPF50+ Garnier's SPF50 spray passed both tests and was 'easy to apply', the watchdog said. But it noted, the product—which is sold at the likes of Asda, Boots, Morrisons and Sainsbury's—was an expensive option. £8.00 Shop Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture Spray SPF50+ One of the most recognisable products on the market, Nivea's SPF50+ spray passed both SPF and UVA tests. It's only downside, Which? said, was the cost. £7.00 Shop Sainsbury's SPF50+ Moisturising Spray Lotion The watchdog said Sainsbury's spray provides the level of sun protection it claimed it does and there were no major downsides to the product at all. £5.75 Shop SPF50+ Children's Recommendations Childs Farm SPF50+ Sun Cream Fragrance-Free Which? said the product offers 'excellent sun protection' and passed both key tests. The sunscreen, sold online on Amazon as well as in Boots, does 'feel a bit greasy', it noted. £12 Shop
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Retired tradesman avoids jail for driving with Lidl manager on car bonnet after checkout row
A retired tradesman has avoided prison over an incident in a supermarket car park in Wicklow Town in which he drove a short distance with a store manager on the bonnet of his vehicle following a row at a checkout. Thomas O'Connor, aged 67, of Two Mile House, Ballinteskin, Co Wicklow, pleaded guilty to a charge of endangerment over the incident at the Lidl supermarket on Rathnew Road, Co Wicklow, on July 3, 2023, contrary to Section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. Garda James Downey told a sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court that there had been an issue between the store's assistant manager and the accused in relation to the payment for a small item. CCTV footage played in court showed that the manager attempted to place a shopping trolley in front of O'Connor's vehicle in order to speak further with him as the accused was driving out of the car park. Video images show the supermarket employee was briefly pushed onto the bonnet of the vehicle which was travelling at a slow speed before O'Connor drove away cutting inside a van coming into the car park on the wrong side as he made his exit. Garda Downey said O'Connor was arrested in December 2023 and identified himself on the CCTV footage and accepted responsibility for his driving. The court heard he told gardaí: 'What can I say? At least no-one was hurt. I was panicked.' O'Connor also added that he was 'deeply sorry.' Garda Downey confirmed to prosecution counsel, James Kelly BL, that the accused had no previous convictions. Cross-examined by defence counsel, Edmund Sweetman BL, Garda Downey agreed that the incident arose from a dispute over what items were paid for. The court heard there was an issue about whether the customer had given the cashier a €5 or €10 note which resulted in O'Connor leaving the store with two packs of hash browns and leaving another behind at the checkout. Garda Downey said the accused had taken offence at being challenged by Lidl staff. Mr Kelly observed that O'Connor had 'left in high dudgeon and took off.' Mr Sweetman said there was no justification for the defendant's 'most irrational behaviour'. Pleading for leniency, the barrister said O'Connor had a previously unblemished character and had recently retired from a career working as a plasterer. He said the accused had brought €1,000 to court for his victim as an expression of his remorse. Sentencing Sentencing O'Connor to three months in prison, Judge Terence O'Sullivan said he would fully suspend the term of imprisonment for a period of six months on condition that he keep the peace for that period and not come to Garda attention. The judge said the accused's driving was reckless and it was lucky that no harm had come to the Lidl manager. He said O'Connor knew there was some sort of row with the supermarket's staff and there was no justification for endangering the store official, although the judge acknowledged the accused was assessed as being at a low risk of re-offending. Judge O'Sullivan said he accepted that the defendant 'simply panicked in temper'. 'It was one of those occasions where the red mist descended when it shouldn't have,' the judge remarked. Having heard that O'Connor lives in an area with poor public transport and has a wife with health issues, Judge O'Sullivan said he would not impose any driving disqualification on him.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man drove with Lidl manager on bonnet of car following row over hash browns
A retired tradesman has avoided prison over an incident in a supermarket car park in Wicklow Town in which he drove a short distance with a store manager on the bonnet of his vehicle following a row at a checkout. Thomas O'Connor (67) of Two Mile House, Ballinteskin, Co Wicklow pleaded guilty to a charge of endangerment over the incident at the Lidl supermarket on Rathnew Road, Co Wicklow on July 3, 2023 contrary to Section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. Garda James Downey told a sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court that there had been an issue between the store's assistant manager and the accused in relation to the payment for a small item. CCTV footage played in court showed that the manager attempted to place a shopping trolley in front of O'Connor's vehicle in order to speak further with him as the accused was driving out of the car park. Video images show the supermarket employee was briefly pushed onto the bonnet of the vehicle which was travelling at a slow speed before O'Connor drove away cutting inside a van coming into the car park on the wrong side as he made his exit. Garda Downey said O'Connor was arrested in December 2023 and identified himself on the CCTV footage and accepted responsibility for his driving. The court heard he told gardaí: 'What can I say? At least non-one was hurt. I was panicked.' O'Connor also added that he was 'deeply sorry.' Garda Downey confirmed to prosecution counsel, James Kelly BL, that the accused had no previous convictions. Cross-examined by defence counsel, Edmund Sweetman BL, Garda Downey agreed that the incident arose from a dispute over what items were paid for. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week The court heard there was an issue about whether the customer had given the cashier a €5 or €10 note which resulted in O'Connor leaving the store with two packs of hash browns and leaving another behind at the checkout. Garda Downey said the accused had taken offence at being challenged by Lidl staff. Mr Kelly observed that O'Connor had 'left in high dudgeon and took off.' Mr Sweetman said there was no justification for the defendant's 'most irrational behaviour.' Pleading for leniency, the barrister said O'Connor had a previously unblemished character and had recently retired from a career working as a plasterer. He said the accused had brought €1,000 to court for his victim as an expression of his remorse. Sentencing O'Connor to three months in prison, Judge Terence O'Sullivan said he would fully suspend the term of imprisonment for a period of six months on condition that he keep the peace for that period and not come to Garda attention. The judge said the accused's driving was reckless and it was lucky that no harm had come to the Lidl manager. He said O'Connor knew there was some sort of row with the supermarket's staff and there was no justification for endangering the store official, although the judge acknowledged the accused was assessed as being at a low risk of reoffending. Judge O'Sullivan said he accepted that the defendant 'simply panicked in temper.' 'It was one of those occasions where the red mist descended when it shouldn't have,' the judge remarked. Having heard that O'Connor lives in an area with poor public transport and has a wife with health issues, Judge O'Sullivan said he would not impose any driving disqualification on him.
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Lidl fans rushing to buy ‘must-have' gardening gadget that will transform lawn & it's €420 cheaper than Woodie's version
LIDL Ireland fans are rushing to buy must-have gardening gadget that will transform your lawn for summer. The Parkside Robot Lawnmower is the perfect tool to spruce up your grass for the summer. 2 The robot lawnmower is due in stores next week 2 And there's a way to get a €20 discount It is suitable for garden up to 1000m 2 and has three adjustable area modes and up to five defines secondary modes for spot mowing. The product can mow your lawn for up to 45 minutes, and takes 60 minutes to charge. The robot gardener is priced at €329.99 and will hit stores around the country on June 28. And READ MORE IN MONEY Woodie's is currently selling a Flymo EasiLife Go250 Robotic Lawnmower for €749.99 - making the Lidl version €420 cheaper. The Flymo description reads: "Designed for gardens up to 250m2 the Flymo EasiLife Go 250 is a fully automatic robot lawnmower that gives you the perfect lawn with zero effort. "Set a schedule in seconds with the simple Push & Go interface via the EasiLife app. "This automatic EasiLife robot lawnmower is ideal for when you want to spend less time mowing your lawn and more time relaxing and doing the things you love. Most read in Money "The charging station can be placed anywhere around the edge of the lawn, the guide wire lets you set multiple start points and optimises navigation to and from the charge station preventing track marks and ensuring every corner of the lawn is cut." Meanwhile, Aldi fans are rushing to buy the Splash around in the sun from the comfort of your own back garden as temperatures rise to 26C this week. Their all-new water toys have hit stores just in time for the good weather. Stay cool whilst having fun in the garden with the new giant sprinkler for just €24.99. The latest water toy from the retailer is perfect for keeping kids and adults chilled during this Made from durable PVC, it features four sprinklers for extra fun. It includes a hose adaptor and fits onto most domestic hoses. Keep the fun outdoors as this item is meant for outdoor and land use only. And better yet, you can let your little one pick their new giant playmate as it comes in two different characters. Choose from Oscar the Octopus or Twinkle the Unicorn. Mark the date as this newest toy is set to hit stores on June 22. THE HISTORY OF LIDL IN IRELAND LIDL first opened in Germany in 1973. Back then, it employed just three people, stocking 500 product lines. The first Irish store, located just off Molesworth Street in Dublin, was opened in 1999. This was Lidl's first entry into the Irish grocery market. Then, Lidl opened more stores in 2000, in Limerick, Letterkenny, Mullingar, Athlone, Cavan, Ballinasloe and Portlaoise. Now, the retailer has over 180 stores and three distribution centres, employing over 6,000 people. They work with a network of more than 260 Irish suppliers from the communities they operate in.
