A former Eurovision winner is opening a centre to 'give refuge to Dublin's stray dogs'.
Linda Martin is opening her own dog 'sanctuary' next Friday in the Finglas area of North Dublin.
She says she was gifted land between Finglas and the back of Dublin Airport to operate a shelter from.
It comes as the DSPCA and Dogs Trust have issued urgent appeals in recent weeks to adopt pets.
Ian McKellen and John Bishop to open Linda Martin’s new dog sanctuary in Dublin @RealLindaMartin @JohnBishop100 @IanMcKellen https://t.co/QS3NMj6NZf
— Amy Donohoe (@AmyDonohoe1) March 15, 2023
Martin says she's long been an advocate for animal rights and wanted to act on it:
"I'm involved in animal welfare pretty much all my life. Two years ago I pretty much decided to put my money where my mouth was."
"It took two years to get that paid up and sorted out. We'll be just about finished by the 24th."
Martin says the facility will be somewhere where animals will be looked after, rehabilitated and adopted out to new homes.
Lord of the Rings star Ian McKellan is set to open the sanctuary on Friday 24th March.
