standing firm Cork chemist say they will not be intimidated after anti-vaxxers try to serve 'legal documents'

A young pharmacist has revealed how she stood her ground after a gang of anti-vaxxers entered Broderick's Chemist on Barrack Street in Cork and attempted to “serve” them "legal documents".

Leah Buckley (24) was the only pharmacist on duty at the time a group of 10 to 12 people entered the chemists at lunchtime on Saturday.

“We have reduced staff on a Saturday and I noticed on the camera that there were a number of people in the shop,” Leah recalled. “When I went out, some of them had their phones out recording me.

“One guy said he wanted to speak with my boss, and when I said he wasn’t there they served me with what looked like a mock cease and desist letter.

“To be honest, it all looked like a bit of pomp and ceremony for them. The restrictions had already been lifted that morning at 6am, so it was a bit odd for them to come in protesting.

"They were also not wearing masks, so there seemed to be a couple of different agendas going on at the same time.”

The letters, which Brodericks posted on Twitter warn: “To those who may administer any medical substance without full disclosure of contents and all known side-effects…(are) criminally culpable and carry personal liability for any loss, injury or death.”

And: “Lawful recording is an operation as both a deterrent to wrongdoing and to protect public health and may be used to serve lawful summons for any unlawful activities occurring.”

Leah added: “They said his was a legal document and that I had been served. I asked them to leave and if they didn’t that I’d call the guards but they just laughed at me and said that they had hadn’t committed any crime.

"They left after three minutes or so, giving out and grumbling that I’d want to take this seriously. "

However, Leah was not impressed.

“To be honest it looked like a lot of rubbish. And it actual means very little from what we’ve heard back from people who looked over it for us.

“But it really felt like they were trying to intimidate.

"They took up the entire front of the shop area and at least six or seven of them all had their phones out recording me.

"And then to throw in a mock legal document and say, ‘you’ve been served’.

“I didn’t think it was necessary to call the guards on the emergency line as there wasn’t anything dangerous going on. But I did call later as I got the impression they were going around to other places so I just wanted the guards to know in case there was an altercation.

"They are obviously trying to pick on pharmacies because we’ve been working hard during the pandemic and trying get people vaccinated,” Leah added. “And people around here are very grateful.

“They’re crying out for vaccines so we know we are doing the right thing, for our customers and our community, and we will not be intimidated by acts like this. "