Outpouring of Support for First Responders at Watertown Fund Raiser

Donohue’s Bar & Grill threw a big bash last weekend, and raised more than $10,000 for Watertown’s first responders and for injured MBTA officer Dic Donohue.

Around 400 people came out to the bar that sits just blocks from the site of the shootout with the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects on April 19. Owner John Donohue was approached by Shilelagh Law NYC, a band from New York seeking to do a fund raiser for the first responders in the Boston area.

“They wanted to do a benefit and they wanted to do it at Donohue’s” Donohue said. “They were adamant. This is where (the shootout) happened, this is the community where it happened.”

Donohue reached out to bands who play at the bar and put together the event that was dubbed “An Irish Tribute to Our First Responders.”

Along with Shilelagh Law, the Irish American Police Officers Association Pipes and Drums, Irish Whispa – Massachusetts, The Auld Locals and the Boston Police Gaelic Colum of Pipes and Drums agreed to play at the event.

“Within less than 45 days able to put it together,” Donohue said. “All the bands donated their time. We donated all the money to officer Dic Donohue and the Watertown Police Relief Association.”

The suggested donation was $20, but many donated more, Donohue said.

The event drew people from near and far. Some Virginia State Police officers drove up, and many from the New York area also were in attendance, along with many from Watertown, Cambridge, the MBTA Police and more.

“We had great representation from the Watertown Police and Fire department,” Donohue said. “They were acknowledged. That’s why we had the Tribute to the First Responders.”

Dic Donohue, the MBTA officer who was injured and nearly died at the shootout, spent the day at the event. 

The outpouring of support went beyond what Donohue had anticipated.

“My goal was $7,000 to $8,000,” Donohue said. “When we added it all up Monday we had $10,500.”

Dic Donohue will receive $7,000 and $3,500 will go to the Watertown Police Relief association.