Heart charity’s vetting procedures ‘appalling’

A District Court judge has described the vetting procedure of heart charity Croí as ‘appalling’ and said the charity must be ‘out of their minds’ to give authority to collectors who have a number of previous convictions.

Judge Kevin Kilrane made the comments after it was heard John Ward (31) of Tarmon Manor, Castlerea was before the court for holding a collection without a permit on Grattan Street in 2018.

On March 28th, 2018 Garda Ger Dillon observed Ward holding a bucket collection with a white bucket, a Croí logo on it and advertising a ‘Fun Run’ in Castlrea in July.

Ward showed a letter from Croí to Grda Dillon but was informed it was an unauthorised collection and €190 was seized.

The court was told Ward had 35 previous convictions, including 25 road traffic, one for assault, theft and a public order offence.

Defending solicitor, Mr Tom MacSharr y said his client did have a lot of previous convictions, but none for illegal collections. He said Ward was a father off our and the collection seemed to be legitimate as his wife’s family has a history of heart disease.

Ward told the court his wife Geraldine contacted Croí and they were going to complete a 5km run.

He said he had conducted two collections before the one in Sligo. On December 11 th, six days before the court a donation of €500 was made to the charity by Ward.

Asked if it was a co incidence that he made the donation so close to the court date, Ward said it was not, and the money had always been kept in a bucket.

He said on the day in question he asked for permission f rom the shop owner to hold a collection outside and had a letter from Croíandwa snot aware he needed anything else.

“The organisation that gave you permission need their heads examined,” said Judge Kilrane.

Ward replied, “It was a good thing I was trying to do, I was trying to do a good thing .”

Judge Kilrane said a lot of this activity was happening and said people were shaking a bucket at the public who put money in if they see it is for a good cause.

“The only people at fault is Croí, they must be out of their minds, to give any form of authority to this man to collect anything ,” the judge added.

Judge Kilrane also doubted Ward’s intention sin relation to donating moneys just days before court.

“It’ s all fake and a fraud ... I don’ t believe a word of it .”

The judge informed Mr MacSharr y that his client is to have €500 in court on February 4 th next or he will f ace prison.

It was also directed that the € 190 seized by gardaí be donated to Crumlin Children’s Hospital .“I would like to get the message to Croí, they won’ t get this money, their vetting procedures are appalling ,”