Westport ‘plagued’ with money collectors

Westport ‘plagued’ with money collectors


Rowan Gallagher

A WESTPORT Town Councillor has called for a review of the charity collection licensing procedures and wants Mayo collections to be for Mayo charities exclusively.
There has been a major increase in professional ticket sellers and charity lotto sellers in Westport in recent weeks, according to Cllr Christy Hyland.
At a recent meeting of the Westport Policing Committee, Cllr Christy Hyland (pictured) hit out at the situation that has developed in every town in Ireland regarding collections taking place outside banks, supermarkets and post offices.
To collect money on public property a permit must be issued by Gardai but a permit is not needed for collections on private property. On private property all that is needed is the owner’s permission.
Cllr Hyland told The Mayo News that he thinks elderly people feel obliged to give money to these people even if they pass by them a number of times.
The councillor stated that he has been approached by numerous people who have said that they are sick and tired of this type of collection and that some people feel intimidated by this type of behaviour.
“We need to have a look at this situation where organisations apply and receive collection permits that allows the organisation to collect in every town all over the country.
“I have no problem with people collecting for local charity but what I don’t want to see is a person selling lottery tickets and only 20% goes to charity. Don’t get me wrong, collections for local causes are essential and many community centres have been built with donations.
The situation that now exists cannot continue particularly when we are in a period of recession that has never been experienced before in the history of the state.”
The councillor urged people to bring the matter to the attention of their local Gardai if they are unhappy with some of these collections as these collectors must comply with the conditions laid down in the permit that has been granted.
“People are unable to go on with their daily business without being approached by what he referred to as professional ticket sellers.”