Incredible Generosity: As the Public help replace the €3k stolen from a Dublin pensioner – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

Incredible Generosity: As the Public help replace the €3k stolen from a Dublin pensioner




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An elderly woman who was conned out her life savings by heartless thugs has come overwhelmed with joy recently after the public replaced her life savings with donations . 83 year old Kathleen Byrne, was horribly tricked into parting with her €3,000 nest egg, however after hearing her tragic story on the RTE Radio one show Liveline the Irish public quickly responded by calling the show offering to donate money.

It is understood that the four conmen conned the pensioner into believing they were going to carry our repairs on the roof of her home in Raheny, Dublin, before they absconded with her savings.

The disgraceful story had clearly affected Liveline host Joe Duffy, who interviewed the pensioner on Tuesday, as he labeled the ruthless thugs  “bad, bad bastards”(excuse the language).

However in a remarkable turn of events the listening public then flooded the RTE Radio 1 show with calls looking to help Mrs Byrne.

Siobhan Hough producer of the Liveline show told the press: “We were inundated with calls and e-mails from listeners with people after the broadcast who wanted to help. “We contacted everyone back and decided to use the dedicated Liveline charity bank account to help Kathleen out.“We don’t know the total yet but people have been very generous, some have offered €20, while others have offered €1,000, it should be well over the €3,000. “It is amazing at a time when a lot of people have serious financial constraints themselves. Ms Hough went onto say: ” That the donation line for Ms Byrne will be monitored for a few days before it is closed again

Mrs Byrne also made a statement saying that she was stunned by the tremendous amount of support she has received from the public. She also expressed her deepest gratitude by telling the listeners : “Thank you to everyone, I am delighted and a bit shocked to be honest.”

Meanwhile a neighbour of Mrs Byrne who was with her at her North Dublin home told the show that she hoped the gang behind the shameful robbery would be brought to justice. The unidentified neighbor said: “We have been talking guards and they said that said that they have a fair idea who the group are. We are really hoping that they will catch them.”

Gardai are appealing to anyone with any information to contact them at Raheny Garda station on 01 666 4300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 1111 or any Garda station.

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