A fundraiser for an Irish woman who was shot dead by her ex-boyfriend in Australia in what police say was an attempted murder-suicide has raised nearly €100,000.
Eileen Gibbons, 38, a mother-of-one from Castlebar, Co Mayo, was shot in the stomach last week.
The social worker is recovering after two surgeries at Royal Darwin Hospital following the attack and has since been reunited with her one-year-old daughter Sylvia.
She was shot by ex-boyfriend Ralph Donald in the Milner area of Darwin on the evening of October 3.
A 35-year-old man was found dead at the scene and police believe he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Her Irish family has rallied to her side since the attack, and four days after being shot, Eileen was able to speak to her mother on the phone from her hospital bed.
A GoFundMe appeal organized by her cousin describes Eileen as “a compassionate caregiver known for her dedication to her patients”, reports The Mirror.
Money raised from the appeal will be used to pay for flights and accommodation for Eileen’s family, who will be by her side during her recovery and support her eventual move to Ireland.
The appeal raised €96,222 of the €50,000 target. Many Irish people came to Mrs Gibbons to donate and send messages of support.
One person wrote: “This is such a sad story. I hope Eileen makes a full recovery and can come home to her family,” reports The Mirror.
Another said: “Sending good wishes and a quick recovery,” reports The Mirror.
The donation page can be viewed here.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.