'Mean spirited' shop lifters target charity shop

The Cavan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has expressed its disappointment that shop lifters targeted its 'pop-up shop' last Saturday in Cavan Town.

The treasurer of the Association, Concepta Lennon, described the crime as "mean spirited" to steal from a charity. The crime was reported to Cavan Gardaí.

The CSPCA, which has a charity shop on Thomas Ashe Street in Cavan Town, decided to operate the pop-up shop to attract more people to the store. Ms Lennon explained that they took a large number of 'new' clothes some of them designer labels, which had been donated with the tags still on, and moved them to the front of the store. It was later discovered that some of the more attractive items had been lifted.

Ms Lennon said that it was "difficult" for the three shop volunteers to keep an eye out as obviously an organisation like the CSPCA cannot afford security.

However, undeterred, the Cavan SPCA plan to repeat their 'pop-up shop' initiative tomorrow (Saturday) and are hopeful of support.

The income from the shop is the association's main lifeline to cover the huge costs of food and veterinary bills for the animals they seek to rehome.