Tesco Security Guard Hero In Aisle 5

Marie & James Darley with Eoin, Darren & Destiny SUN7SEPT25

s any Clash fan will tell you, we’ve all gotten lost in the supermarket at one point or another.

But when you’re 84 and battling Alzheimers, suddenly not knowing where you are – or where your family are – can be a very confusing, and frightening, experience…

Especially when you’re outside the supermarket. And have now crossed the road.

This happened to James Darley at Tesco Greystones on Wednesday, his wife, Marie, and son Darren having to endure 45 minutes of stomach knots before a local hero reunited their family.

The local hero in question being Tesco security manager Eoin Kenny.

“Eoin was amazing,” explains Darren. “My dad had wandered quite far from the store, but Eoin kept us calm, immediately checking all the CCTV footage. He was able to track my father leaving the car park and heading up by Donnybrook Fair. After we had phoned the Garda, Eoin then drove me along that route, all the way to our house, and then back again, reassuring me constantly that we were going to find him.

And we did, just by Burnaby Heights…”

Darren then called his mother, who had gone to the house, waiting and hoping. For both her husband and for the Garda, the latter possibly still on the way.

“When we found him, my father was perfectly fine and oblivious to the upset losing him had caused,” Darren continues. “I firmly believe that we would have not found dad so quickly if it had not been for the efforts of Eoin Kenny. I have never seen such a display of empathy and compassion. Given dad’s situation with Alzheimers this could have ended very badly and I believe this man saved my father’s life that day.”

Having instructed Tesco to make Eoin their Employee Of The Month – if not The Year – Darren was quick to give praise to the rest of the staff there who helped on the day; Emma at the kiosk, duty manager Andrea, and the second security guard, Destiny George.

When we met up earlier on this almost-fine Sunday afternoon, the Darley family were still full of thanks and praise, to both Eoin and Destiny.

And Destiny was soon pointing out that Eoin has always been a hero to him. “He has done so much for me,” he explains, “and his actions on Wednesday came as no surprise. We’re talking about a man who actually bought me a car – that’s how wonderful and generous he is…”

For his part, Eoin just hopes people take one simple message from this whole incident.

“I would just love people to take a moment and check on the elderly around them,” he says. “Whether it’s a neighbour, or someone you just notice when you’re out that might be a little lost, it takes seconds to simply ask them if they’re okay, and if they need any help.

“All of us would hate to see our dad or our mum alone and confused, or in any kind of danger…”

Darren has the last word.

“Eoin is clearly a man who practises what he preaches,” he finishes, “and our family will be forever grateful for that…”