A tide of goodwill has emerged from across Donegal and further afield for tragic pensioner Greta Lilly who was released from hospital today.
The plight of the 96 year old has captured the public’s imagination after she was attacked in her Buncrana home last weekend.
Ms Lilly left Letterkenny General Hospital today and was taken to Beach Hill Manor Nursing Home at Lisfannon.
The centre has offered the pensioner a free week’s respite before she returns to her home at Aghilly.
Another company, Compass Windows in Dungiven, Co Derry has also offered to replace Ms Lilly’s old windows at her home.
The thieves who raided Ms Lilly’s home are understood to have stolen a substantial amount of cash which she had saved for new windows.
The company heard of her plight and made the generous offer yesterday.
Another local security company, Orbit Security, are also fitting a new alarm system at the victim’s home as a gesture of goodwill.
It comes after local Buncrana Town Councillor Ciaran McLaughlin set up the Margaret Lilly Fund at Buncrana Credit Union for the pensioner.
The owner of a local motor parts company, George McLaughlin, has also put up a reward of €5,000 for information leading to the prosecution of Ms Lilly’s attackers.
Local TD Padraig MacLochlainn has said it has been remarkable to watch the community rally to the pensioner’s aid.
“I suppose we have seen the worst of human spirit which is now being replaced by the best of that human spirit.
“The community spirit has been terrific and I’m sure Ms Lilly will be proud of how decent people have responded to her plight,” he said.
Ms Lilly’s next door neighbour, Robbie Callaghan, who was the first on the scene when she was attacked, said he is delighted she has made a full recovery.
“She’s a great woman and we’re delighted she’s getting out of hospital.
“A week in the home will do her the world of good and we will really welcome her home when she comes home,” he said.
Meanwhile a 48 year old man who was arrested in Burt last night is still being questioned by Gardai in Buncrana in connection with the robbery.
