Charities benefit from court’s ‘Poor Box’ donations

Meath Community Drug and Alcohol Response (MCDAR) was the biggest beneficiary from the Court Poor Box in Co Meath last year.

MCDAR which is based in Haggard St Trim is a confidential community service providing a range of services to individuals and family members who may be experiencing difficulties with substance misuse and addiction.

The service received €9,220 last year from poor box donations made to the local courts.

A total of €20,215 was paid out in the county from the court poor box in 2023, according to figures from the Court Service.

The court poor box system which is operated at a judge's discretion allows those who have committed offences to avoid a conviction by making a charitable donation.

Other beneficiaries from the poor box were St Vincent de Paul (Trim) €3,295, Meath Women's Refuge Accompaniment Service €2,050, Meals on Wheels (Trim) €1,850, Garda Benevolent Trust Fund €1,100, Cystic Fibrosis Association €500, Meath Women's Refuge and Support Services €500, Little Blue Heroes Foundation €400, Pieta House €400, Irish Cancer Society €300, Irish Red Cross €200, Tuamgraney Community Weekend €200, Meals on Wheels Assistance Service €100 and Drogheda Homeless Aid Association €100.