by Louise Doyle

PEOPLE in Donegal are being urged to come out today in a show of solidarity to the workers and rescued animals of Donegal ISPCA Animal Rehabilitation Centre amid huge uncertainty for the future.

The rehabilitation centre in Ballyare, which officially opened in June 2018, has cared for thousands of animals.

The premises is closing tomorrow and the time ahead for the workers and animals is very uncertain.

‘Support Donegal Animal Centre’ takes place outside Donegal ISPCA in Barrack, Ballyare, F92 T1HR at 2pm today.

A spokesperson said: “Please come along to show your support and solidarity for the animals of Donegal. Your presence will help to show how much the centre means to the county.”

Those who can attend are asked to assemble at the gates of the centre.

“No need to ring the centre as they are closing and unable to take calls. Find out more at the event. Bring an umbrella in case there are showers. PM Donegal ISPCA page if you need any more information,” added the spokesperson.

Founder member of the Donegal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Kathleen Murray has voiced her concern, adding that it is “deeply concerning” that the ISPCA has closed its facility in Ballyare, ahead of a takeover by the Dublin SPCA.

She has pointed out that the building was actually developed by the Donegal group and then handed over to the ISPCA on the understanding that it would be kept for animals in need in the county.

Meanwhile, SIPTU members employed in the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) are calling on the urgent intervention of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, due to the threatened denial of protections for workers and services arising from the proposed closure of the organisation’s rehabilitation centre in Ballyare.

The members believe the threatened closure of ISPCA services in Donegal and associated forced redundancies has been deliberately orchestrated to deny the workers effected their statutory employment protections provided under transfer of employment regulations ‘TUPE’, ahead of a forthcoming merger between the ISPCA and DSPCA.

SIPTU Organiser, Peter O’Brien, said: “Already, some workers have been issued redundancy letters. In Donegal, management is planning to close the centre without any negotiation and without providing criteria for any redundancies.

“Workers have no clarity on what will happen to the important services provided in the Donegal centre. They are deeply concerned that the services and the animals they care for will be moved to other parts of the country without the necessary planning.

“This is the behaviour of a rogue employer, which is completely wrong particularly when it is considered that it is largely funded by the Department of Agriculture and through charitable donations. The ISPCA has a duty of transparency to its employees, service users and the public.”

SIPTU has confirmed it is prepared to re-enter the WRC and is calling on the Department of Agriculture to ensure the ISPCA show accountability and proper engagement with staff representatives.

We contacted Dublin SPCA for a comment.

It had not been received at the time of going to press yesterday.