The nine-year-old Armagh schoolboy whose sweet stall was robbed, while he was raising money for a bearded dragon, has been granted his wish!
Prior to the All-Ireland Final, Eoghan Reilly had set up his very own sweet stall on a street corner close to his home in Armagh, with the hopes of raising enough money to buy the little reptile.
However, while he was at his stall, Eoghan was grabbed by his neck by two men, who stole £20 and fled in a blue pick-up truck.
Read more: Community rallies around Armagh boy (9) after thieves take money from sweet stall
Thankfully, the Armagh community responded after word of the incident got out and many visited to give Eoghan donations and even a voucher for a Portadown pet store.
As a result of that kindness, the Reilly family are delighted to report that ‘Snickers Reilly’, the bearded dragon, was welcomed into the family last week!
Eoghan and his granda visited Madd Pets and Reptiles in Portadown, where Eoghan got the “celebrity treatment” from the owner who set everything up.
Also helping out were Derek and Paul from Jollyes in Newry, who bought Eoghan a complete starter kit for Snickers out of their own pocket.
Eoghan’s sweet stall in Armagh
Eoghan even managed to get a trip to the Armagh match in Croke Park as well thanks to help from the Armagh County Board.
Eoghan’s mum Kelly has thanked everyone who contributed, saying they “turned a nightmare into a dream for my wee man”.
She said: “Just wanted to say the biggest heartfelt thank you to absolutely everyone who sent messages about our wee man after his unfortunate experience and to everyone who came to visit his wee stall and gave him money toward his bearded dragon.
“Big thanks again to Ryan Kelly and the staff at The Parkland Armagh, Wayne at Glaze & Roll, the girls who came up with bags of sweets from home bargains, vouchers for Petworld Armagh and pets at home and to Bernie and Blacky Mallon for their thoughtful help and support.
“To the boys from Armagh Rock Road Bullets, your kindness and generosity will never be forgotten. To all my friends and indeed people I’ve never met before.. Thank you.
“We will never forget everyone and everything you did to help our wee man move forward.
“Still a few nightmares but thankfully the only reason he was up at 3am Thursday morning and didn’t sleep all night was because he was so excited to go get his beloved bearded dragon!”
She added: “Thank you all so so much from the bottom of our hearts, you have turned a nightmare into a dream for our wee man.”
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