A CHARITY shop has been left with a €1,000 repair bill after thieves tried to smash their way in to rob it.

Workers at the shop have spoken of their disgust at the attack on their charity, which raises funds for autistic children.

The shop, Friends, in north County Dublin, will now have to fork out on tighter security to keep the thieves out.

The robbers struck at 10.30pm last Tuesday at the premises on Clonard Street in Balbriggan.

They broke locks as they tried to kick-in the heavy steel door, as well as trying to pry it open with a crowbar. It will now have to be replaced.

Shocked volunteers, some of whom have disabilities, were unable to get inside the next morning as it was so badly damaged. Gardai are investigating the incident and it is understood a footprint left on the door may prove useful.

"They couldn't get in but they caused a huge amount of damage," said charity spokeswoman Cathy Gaffney.

"I'm just disgusted. The upset was worse than the financial loss. We have one manager, everybody else is here out of the goodness of their hearts.

"I can't believe somebody would do something so low as to rob charity shops that are there to help the vulnerable."

Autism

The shop opened its doors just 12 weeks ago when local parents of children with autism, aspergers and ADHD came together to hire an advocacy worker.

The community has supported the initiative, with volunteers including people with disabilities helping out.

"Do these people have any idea who they are robbing from? Three-year-old children with autism, carers and pensioners with disabilities," Cathy said.

"When people heard what we were doing here, the amount of help we got was great.

"All the shop fittings were donated. It's demoralising for something like this to happen now, it's like a slap in the face."

"This happened when the pubs would have been still open, but apparently nobody heard anything," Cathy added.

The shop was opened by two groups that have been working in the field of autism and ADHD in north county Dublin for several years.

The North Fingal Autism & Aspergers Support Group joined with the North Fingal ADD/ADHD Parent and Adult Support Group to open the shop in October.

The advocacy service has helped 37 people since it started.

- Andrew Phelan