The contentious issue of ongoing charity collectors from outside the area confronting the public at locations which target vulnerable people, was raised at the Westport joint policing committee meeting on Monday last. However Superintendent Mick Murray urged the public not to be intimidated by charity collectors and to walk on by if they do not wish to donate monies.
Councillor Christy Hyland said that he had been contacted by people who are “sick and tired” of being harassed as they go about their daily business, as are local businesses which are suffering as people are stopped outside premises.
Deputy Michael Ring, who has worked on the Charities Bill, told the JPC that it would “strengthen the council’s hand” if it becomes legislation; at present it is awaiting a Supreme Court decision. It includes the requirement for those with collection permits to register and for accounts to be compiled for what has been collected.
Supt Murray said that in a lot of instances these collectors are perfectly lawful as they have obtained their permit, which at present can be issued in one location and covers anywhere in Ireland, so someone could collect in Westport all day “and then go back to Kildare”.
All JPC members said that they have no issue with local lotto collections or local charity collections such as for St Vincent de Paul.
