Public rallies to replace defibrillator
FUNDS RAISED TO REPLACE UNIT DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR IN ARKLOW
However, in the days since the senseless attack, the community of Arklow has rallied round and donations have been flooding in to cover the cost of a replacement unit.
Proprietors of The 7 Eleven, Bill and Geraldine Nolan say they have been inundated with people dropping in donations, which it is believed will cover the cost of the vandalised defibrillator and even start the ball rolling for another one.
‘We couldn’t believe the amount of people who were coming in to donate. The people of Arklow have been wonderful and so supportive. Something good has come out of an awful incident,’ said Bill.
‘It is important to highlight how important these units are. They are lifesaving and this was simply an act of stupidity,’ he added.
In a further act of generosity, Arklow company Phonelink, which monitors the 7 Eleven CCTV cameras, has offered to provide a high definition camera, free of charge which will be installed above the new unit once it has been fitted.
Mr Summers, on behalf of the Arklow Community First Responders has thanked everyone who made donations and the 7 Eleven shop.
‘We are overwhelmed with the amount of coverge this has received and the interest in the story. It shows that the good outweighs the bad and that we have a great community here in Arklow. Hopefully, this will highlight the face that defibrillators are not there to be tampered with, and perhaps help first responders across Ireland.’