An Irish family who were robbed of their belongings minutes after arriving in Florida have spoken of the generosity of the American public who have donated almost $25,000 for their trip.
The McNulty family from Sligo town had travelled to Miami to allow their daughter Emer (13) to undergo therapy for cerebral palsy at the Island Dolphin Care Centre in Key Largo, when they fell victim to a tourist scam.
Two thieves tricked them into pulling over in the car, distracted the parents and stole several bags containing credit cards, passports and more than $4,000 in cash for their daughter's treatment.
More than $25,000 has been donated so far to the care centre for the family since media reports in the US about the thefts.
Marian McNulty said last night she had been astonished by the reaction and the Island Dolphin Centre had been inundated with calls, donations and offers of help.
"The police have been absolutely wonderful," she said. "I don't know what words you can use to say about people who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help us."
The Government has sent out forms to the McNulty family and they hope to have new passports for the trip home. "If we can't get the passports, the police have said that they would be able to get us through," she added.
Miami Chief of Police John Timoney, originally from Dublin, said the McNultys were victims of a typical tourist scam. "One of my officers thought the gentleman, Mr McNulty, spoke like me, being from Ireland. He called me and we made arrangements."