BALLYFERMOT RESIDENTS HAVE reacted with shock to news of a robbery that left volunteers at a local vet clinic badly shaken.

The Irish Blue Cross, which provides low-cost veterinary services to low-income pet owners in the Dublin area, said today that it is moving its mobile clinic on the Kylemore Road – where it had been located for about 50 years – to Rossmore Avenue, outside Ballyfermot Garda Station.

The decision comes after the clinic was robbed last week by a masked man who is said to have threatened volunteers with a baton.

The man fled the area with a small amount of cash at about 8.40pm last Wednesday.

Blue Cross manager Chris Conneely said the clinic was being relocated as a precautionary measure and that the charity will be reviewing its safety procedures to help prevent other robberies.

“[The incident] was very frightening for those involved,” she told TheJournal.ie.

The man shouted at staff and demanded money. He took all of our donations for the night.

Conneely said the clinic’s volunteers were “upset and saddened” by the robbery, though no one was hurt.

The charity, which relies on clients’ donations as well as fundraising, added in a statement: ”Our Ballyfermot mobile clinic team is undeterred in carrying out its invaluable work which will continue as normal, but just from a new location.”

The Blue Cross clinic at its old location in Ballyfermot Source: Irish Blue Cross

Support

News of the robbery was met with shock on social media, where local residents praised the services provided by the charity.

“May I on behalf of the people of Ballyfermot say a very big thank you to the Blue Cross for the great work you do helping all our pets,” one person said.

Another added: “The Blue Cross did amazing work with my dog when I first got him from the pound.”

He was so sick and needed a lot of visits and all the staff and volunteers were brilliant with him and helped me get him back to full health.

The Blue Cross Ballyfermot clinic will continue to run from 7pm to 8.30pm every Wednesday at its new location. You can donate to the charity on its website here.