Tributes have been flowing in for "fearless" animal rights campaigner Martina Comerford.
Martina was well-known for tirelessly fighting for the welfare of vulnerable dogs around country. The Finglas woman died suddenly at home.
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She will be missed by her husband Thomas Kane and kids Nathan and Katie. Animal rights activists all over the country have been reflecting on the impact Martina had during her time on earth.
She had spent decades campaigning against greyhound racing and cruel pounds. Her friend Noiren Carrigg told Dublin Live that she hopes that Martina will be greeted by canine companions on the rainbow bridge.
She said: "We met each other five years ago outside Shelbourne stadium and she has been one of my best friends since then. Martina was crazy. She was driven. She was loyal. She probably loved dogs more than most people apart from her family.
"She was fearless. She was generous to a fault. I wouldn't like to be on her wrong side because she could also be a bit of a Jack Russell.
"She was driven even beyond her own fatigue for animals and dogs. It was the singular thing that really focused her life. For Martina, dogs were her everything. On a personal level, you could not ask for a better friend.
"You wouldn't have to ask her and she would be offering, saying what could she do for you. Very rarely, would she ever ask anyone to do anything for her.
"She spearheaded the Ashton Pounds campaign. That was all her. She would cry over dogs she didn't know. She was a powerhouse, absolutely relentless. I very rarely have met a human being that would selflessly in this day and age meet you and just be there for you whenever you needed anything.
"She just made it happen. It's just shocking that she's gone. We just hope that hundreds of dogs were waiting for her."
People took to social media to pay their respects to Martina
One person said: " Devastated to hear you have gone to meet your friends at the rainbow bridge. Bless you for all you have done, you made such a difference to thousands of animal lives and touched so many of our hearts too. Rest easy, beautiful lady. May you find eternal peace. Condolences to her family."
Another wrote: "Rest in peace Martina, you were truly an amazing person."
A third commented: "What a sad day today for everyone in rescue friends sending love to your family. Everyone is in a state of shock on your passin- an animal warrior, a fighter for all the animals that had no voice. You fought for every single one. The world has lost a very special lady today there will be so many animals waiting for you with open arms."
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