The teen has thanked the country for the extensive support she has received since the brutal attack.
Ballyfermot Civic Centre will host a vigil in honour of 17-year-old Alanna Quinn Idris, who was hospitalised after sustaining severe injuries during a vicious attack right outside its premises.
News of the vigil comes as a GoFundMe campaign to support the girl has hit over €55,000, which Alanna’s mam Jamie Quinn has requested be equally split between the teen and her “hero” friend Louis, also injured in the attack.
The pair were brutally assaulted by a group of youths while walking home on December 30, leaving Alanna with a shattered tooth, broken bones in her cheek and eye socket, and a ruptured eyeball that has a mere 10% chance of recovering its sight.
Organisers of the GoFundMe campaign claim Louis was stabbed whilst trying to defend Alanna from her attackers, who Jamie said have “bullied, harassed and tormented” her daughter for a number of years.
The country was shocked to hear of the assault when Alanna’s dad Ahmed uploaded pictures of his daughter’s horrific injuries, urging any witnesses to come forward.
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Residents of Ballyfermot are now hoping a public vigil will send a strong message of support to the victims and their families, as well as the community’s unified stance against such violence.
The vigil will take place in compliance with Covid-19 guidelines at 11am on Saturday at the Ballyfermot Civic Centre.
Local Cllr Daithi Doolan told Dublin Live the attack left the “whole community in shock” but that the event will give the public an opportunity to show support and send out the “very clear message” that “Ballyfermot demands safer streets for our young people”.
“Our streets must be safe for our young people must feel safe to walk our streets, day and night. We cannot allow a very small group of individuals to hold our community to ransom. We will not allow this to happen. Our young people deserve better,” he said.
He added that the “outpouring of support” for the victims and their families within the community has been “inspiring and gives hope for the future”.
Alanna herself has also spoken about the support she received from all over the country, thanking the “many kind hearts” who sent encouragement, love and well wishes her way.
“Words cannot express how grateful I am for every single one of you,” she wrote, adding that despite the struggle to accept she may never see out of her right eye again, she is grateful Louis was with her that night and is recovering well.
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Gardaí have launched an investigation into the attack and are urging any witnesses to come forward.
Those with any information can contact Ballyfermot Garda Station on 01 666 7200 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
