Charities benefit as Court Poor Box pays out
The Court Poor Box paid out another €1.5m last year, benefiting hundreds of charities in every county of Ireland, writes Helen Bruce.
The fund exists as a means of helping largely first-time offenders avoid a conviction for more minor, non-violent offences.
The Courts Service confirmed yesterday that organisations dealing with addiction, poverty, homelessness, women’s safety, medical services, hospice care and mental health all received money from the Poor Box in 2025.
It said the fund had paid out over €1.538m last year, similar to the €1.54m figure for 2024.
Payments made range from small, one-off amounts to sums of over €75,000.
Among those payments were €76,000 to the Little Blue Heroes Foundation, almost €100,000 to Chapters of the St Vincent de Paul, €28,470 to the Merchant’s Quay Project and €63,500 to Pieta House.
The Criminal Courts of Justice in Parkgate accounted for over €225,000 of the payments made.
A spokesman for the Courts Service described the Poor Box as being “predominantly used by the District Courts who deal with criminal offences of a less serious nature”.
“The individual amounts can vary substantially depending on ability to pay, other penalties imposed, and the nature of the offences,” he said.
The option of paying into the Poor Box usually arises where the offence is minor in nature and would not attract a custodial sentence.
Public order charges are among the offences for which the Poor Box option is commonly given to defendants.
These include breaches of the peace, intoxication or disorderly conduct in a public place, threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour in a public place, or failing to comply with a direction from An Garda Síochána.
It is at other times used for first-time, minor drug-possession offences, and offences against property.
“There are many reasons and instances why the Court Poor Box is used by judges for offences on the more minor side of the scale,” the spokesman added.
The Courts Service said organisations wishing to become a beneficiary from the Court Poor Box may apply in writing to their local District Court office.
The Criminal Courts of Justice in Parkgate accounted for over €225,000 of the payments made.
Any applications received will be brought to the attention of the presiding judge.
Monies paid out are at the discretion of the judge, and the Courts Service has no function in the allocation of payments.
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