Support pours in for animal charity after vicious robbery

THE animal welfare charity Blue Cross said it has been humbled by the responses and messages of support they have received since they were forced to move its mobile clinic in Ballyfermot following a vicious robbery.

The Blue Cross announced last week that its mobile clinic on Kylemore Road – where it had been located for about 50 years – will now move to Rossmore Avenue, right outside Ballyfermot Garda Station. 

The decision was made after a robbery at their normal Ballyfermot location when a masked man armed with a weapon threatened volunteers and frightened clients before he made off with the night’s donations. 

Thankfully, no one was hurt but the Blue Cross team was left badly shaken by the incident.

A spokesperson for the animal charity thanked Superintendent Brendan Connolly, Sergeant Jim Curran and the team at Ballyfermot Garda Station for their support in the aftermath of the robbery. 

He said that parking the clinic outside the station would offer peace of mind for everyone involved in the service and for those whose pets benefit from it.

Some of the messages posted on the charity’s Facebook page include: ‘Without the bluecross services some people would not be able to keep their pets as they would not be able to afford what other vets charge..

‘Fair play to the bluecross for not pulling out of the ballyfermot area , high praise to you’.

Another added: ‘So glad you’s have found somewhere else to locate to and the service will still be here for the good people of ballyfermot and their pets ..glad no one was hurt.. its a sad day’.

Last week, manager Chris Conneely said they were humbled by the messages of  support.

“We’ve received so many messages of support from
people across the board,” she said.

“The gardaí have been great and in fact people have been saying they like the new location.

“We are determined to carry on our work in the community.”

The Irish Blue Cross provides low-cost veterinary services for genuinely needy pet owners in the Dublin area.

Last year the charity provided 27,000 treatments and procedures for pets through its 10 weekly mobile veterinary clinics and main Inchicore clinic.

 The Blue Cross relies on the goodwill of clients to cover the costs of veterinary care, fundraising activities and grant aid from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and other main supporters.

To make a donation tel Fionn on  (01) 4163032 or visit the website www.bluecross.ie