ISPCA to benefit from €200k bequest

THE country’s endangered cats and dogs are set to receive a €200,000 windfall after a late Clare GP bequeathed her home and surgery to the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).

Tomorrow at the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon, the property of Dr Maura Lernihan in Lisdoonvarna is set to go under the hammer at a public auction.

ISPCA chief executive Noel Griffin yesterday paid tribute to the “wonderful act” by Dr Lernihan.

“It is a fantastic thing to happen. Dr Lernihan was a huge dog lover. She was a wonderful woman,” he said. “There is the obvious financial benefit, but it gives a huge morale boost to our staff as well.”

Mr Griffin said that a bequest of the size of Dr Lernihan’s was very rare for the ISPCA.

Dr Lernihan died in August, 2007, and the ISPCA learned of the bequest a year later.

The home has been on the market for the past year, starting off at €350,000.

It is expected to sell if a bid of €200,000 is received.