MOVES ARE UNDERWAY to help raise funds for Margaret Lilly, the 96-year old pensioner who was assaulted and robbed in her Buncrana home last Saturday.

Known locally as Greta Lilly, the attack in the Donegal town has left her ‘distressed’ and ‘downhearted’, according to town councillor Ciaran McLaughlin.

Speaking to TheJournal.ie, he said that money which was stolen from her during the robbery was for the purchase of new windows.

While local businessman George McLaughlin has offered a €5,000 reward for information leading to the capture of those responsible for the crime, people can help Lilly recoup the stolen money from tomorrow, when a special Credit Union account is to open in her name.

Cllr McLaughlin has set up an account called the ‘Margaret Lilly Support Fund’, where people can lodge whatever they can.

Having first considered collecting on the streets, he feared it would be ‘too personal’.

The Credit Union account will remain open for one month.

Cllr McLaughlin has already received interest on his Facebook page from people in America and Australia who wish to donate. No online facility currently exists, however.

“This is only the second burglary in Buncrana in the last two months,” he said. “We are starting to see more in Raphoe and Inishowen, however.”

The minister [for Justice, Alan Shatter] is cutting Gardaí and with the recent burglaries in Inishowen and Donegal he has to open his eyes and see what is happening.

“Any burglar must be rubbing their hands at the moment,” he said.

Speaking of the recent incident, the councillor said that it had taken its toll on Lilly:

Her neighbour was speaking to her and she was really downhearted about the loss. She was really distressed. Buncrana is a very close-knit community, so hopefully the collection is a success.

A local company, Orbit Security, has pledged to install a house alarm on the property free of charge.

Read: Investigation continues into attack on 96-year-old woman during burglary >