Castlebar Mass-goers ‘virtually intimidated’ by church gate collectors

Castlebar Mass-goers ‘virtually intimidated’ by collectors


Edwin McGreal

Mass-goers in Castlebar are being ‘embarrassed and virtually intimidated’ into handing over money to church gate collections which are ‘virtually in the door’ of the church.
These claims were made by Cllr Frank Durcan at last week’s July meeting of Castlebar Town Council where he tabled a motion ‘prohibiting the collection of monies within a distance of 100 metres of church properties’.
“I have been approached by people who have very strong feelings on this. Some Sundays there are two collections inside the church and one outside. It is getting very expensive to go to Mass.
“This wasn’t happening years ago, the collections took place down at the lights (some 100 metres from the front of the Church of the Holy Rosary in Castlebar). I think it is time a halt was called. I’m not against the collections but the location of the collections,” said Cllr Durcan.
Cllr Michael Kilcoyne also supported the motion, however the seven remaining councillors opposed it.
“You rarely see collections outside the church door. If we pass this motion we will cut collections by a half. A whole raft of voluntary organisations depend on these collections,” said Cllr Harry Barrett.
Cllr Noreen Heston said that while she was opposing the motion, she agreed with parts of it.
“Cllr Durcan does have a point. Many people who walk past don’t have money to give. I have stood on collections quite near the church door but wasn’t aware this might be a problem until now. If we can determine collection points, it might be best.”
But Cllr Heston said that while she had fundraised for voluntary organisations, she was firmly against collections by political parties, including her own, Fine Gael.
“My party is aware of my position on this. I will never collect for any political party at a church gate collections. I don’t believe political parties should collect at a church gate. But I can’t support the motion because charities will lose out.”
The motion was defeated 7-2 before Cllr Durcan brought up a very interesting point of order. Referring to the Code of Ethics for public office, Cllr Durcan said that any member with an interest in a matter before the council must declare that interest and take no part in the vote.
Cllr Durcan argued that every person in the chamber belonging to a political party has an interest in the issue of church gate collections as monies raised from these by their parties help to pay for their campaign literature and that this would exempt all members of a political party at the chamber from voting.
That would mean, if accepted, that only the two Independent members of the authority, Cllrs Durcan and Kilcoyne, the two to support the motion, would be entitled to vote.
However Mayor Ger Deere overruled Cllr Durcan, arguing that the money raised from church gate collections by their party wasn’t being given directly to councillors and the motion fell.