Kerry paid 40% of total court poor box funds countrywide

Some courts use system more than others with Tralee District Court coming out top

Offenders in Kerry contributed €883,527 making up a large part of the total for the whole country, which was more than €2.18 million
Offenders in Kerry contributed €883,527 making up a large part of the total for the whole country, which was more than €2.18 million

Kerry accounted for 40 per cent of the money paid into court poor boxes in 2014.

Offenders in Kerry contributed €883,527 making up a large part of the total for the whole country, which was more than €2.18 million.

The payments, mainly arising out of district court cases, are generally contributed in lieu of conviction for first-time and minor offences.

A number of overseas charities received substantial contributions, mainly due to the directions of Kerry judge, James O’Connor. Individual judges decide on the charities to benefit.

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Local charities benefited modestly from the money donated by offenders in Kerry, in comparison to organisations involved with overseas aid. The international charities received almost €700,000 of the money contributed to the county’s poor box.

Sightsavers received €120,000 from Kerry. The Christian Blind Mission got €120,000, Ethiopia id €90,000, Oxfam Ireland €40,559, Bóthar €35,800, Action Aid Ireland €38,000, Vita €32,000, Gorta €31,500, Plan €20,000, Trócaire €20,000, Unicef Ireland €20,170, Concern €11,000, Breadline Africa €10,000 and Self-Help Africa €3,000. The Irish Red Cross received €33,920.

Among domestic charities, the Alzheimer Society in Tralee got €250.

The Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, which has publicly called for funds from the box, got €200.The St Vincent de Paul society in Dingle got €250 while the organisation in Castleisland got €2,000.

Kerry Respite Care got €200 and Men Overcoming Violent Emotion got €500.

The Federation for Victim Assistance, which previously called for funding from the Kerry box, received €200.