MORE than €11,000 has been raised to help a Limerick mechanic whose family business was burnt to the ground in an alleged arson attack last week.
Slater’s Garage, which had traded as an auto-repairs premises for the past half century, at Old Thomondgate, Limerick, was destroyed by fire last Friday morning.
James Slater, owner, said he was “devastated and so upset” after he surveyed the damage.
“I don’t even know if I’m coming or going. We are here fifty years easily, my dad Jimmy Slater ran it before me, now it’s just myself and my brother and we have two or three lads here,” Mr Slater added.
A man appeared before a special sitting of Ennis District Court last Saturday night, charged in connection with arson which destroyed the premises and cars.
An online fundraiser set up last Saturday with a goal of raising €3,000 has well surpassed this, with funds growing to over €11,000 this Monday.
“Lads it is a sad day in the community. As most of Limerick will know James Slater and the work he has done for people and the people he has helped over the years. Last night on the 14th of may his business was taken away from him so as a community I feel it would be nice for us to repay a hard working man like James,” the organiser explained.
“If it is a couple of euro lads it would be a kind gesture to try and get the man back his livelihood,” they added.
Donations can be made via https://gofund.me/b35d8252
