SVP forgives Races student

THE Kerry branch of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) has taken a forgiving attitude towards a student whose ill-advised online boast about using money from the charity to fund a trip to the Listowel Races prompted a severe backlash.

In the past week SVP cancelled a cheque that it had issued to the student after he posted online a photo of the cheque – issued to fund his college fees – along with a caption stating ‘ that’s me sorted for the Listowel Races’.

The social media post led several outraged people to contact SVP, who acted quickly and immediately cancelled the cheque.

The young man has since offered an unreserved apology to the charity for his actions.

“He’s a young fellow and it was bravado. He did it without thinking and he’s very sorry about what happened. We all make mistakes. He’s learned his lesson and he won’t do it again,” said SVP South West President Christy Lynch.