Community rallies after fire damages Moate business

By Rebekah O'Reilly

More than €6,000 has been raised for a Moate businessman after a devastating fire damaged his premises and, according to his family, “cost him his livelihood.”

A GoFundMe campaign set up by John McCormack’s daughter, Shauna McCormack, has raised €6,260 of its €9,000 target from approximately 85 donations as of Wednesday, February 18.

The fundraiser was launched after a fire broke out at John's garage, McCormack Crash Repair, on Sunday night, February 15, causing extensive damage to the premises.

His daughter said the blaze wiped out the business he had built over the past 44 years.

“We are incredibly grateful that he is now home and recovering,” Shauna said.

“Since the fire, the kindness shown by friends, neighbours, and the wider community has been incredible, from calls and messages, to people offering their time, effort, and resources to help with the clean-up and recovery. I know our dad is so thankful for every act of support.”

She said the family is now focused on helping him rebuild both his business and his life following the incident.

“As a family, we are trying to help him get back on his feet, from essential clean-up and repairs, to tools, to the many unexpected costs that come with something like this,” she added.

Donations continue to come in as the local community rallies around the well-known businessman in the wake of the fire.

To donate, go to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-john-after-garage-fire