A number of local charitable and volunteer groups will share €50,000 as the calendar year reaches its conclusion, the proceeds from defendant contributions to the district courts 'poor box' during 2021.
Funding homed within the court poor box arises from contributions paid by persons who have been prosecuted for possession of small amounts of illicit drugs, the majority of such prosecutions being as a result of Garda operations conducted during two music festivals held in County Westmeath annually.
Since the appointment of presiding judge, Seamus Hughes, in 2011, to serve the district courts in Athlone, Mullingar and Longford, in excess of €2.5 million has been made available through the 'poor box' to worthy organisations and causes.
Esker House is the major beneficiary from 'poor box' contributions, the women's refuge and support service receiving €17,500.
The ALF Project, which provides support services for young people, is to avail of €9,000, while the Society of St Vincent de Paul will receive €5,000.
Midlands Simon Community and Athlone Tidy Towns will benefit from donations of €4,000 each, while Summerhill Autism Unit receives a donation of €3,500.
The Athlone Rape Crisis Centre and Athlone and Midlands Samaritans will each receive a donation of €2,500 with €2,000 being awarded to St Colmcille's Sports Park Ltd.
