Public should be wary of bogus collectors

Ciara Galvin

Concerned residents in Ballinrobe are asking the public to be wary of bogus charity collectors around this festive period after one such collector was reported to gardaí in the south Mayo town.
A young male going by the name of ‘Bernard’ was calling door-to-door in a local housing estate before Christmas telling members of the public he was a fifth year student in Ballinrobe Community School. He said he was collecting for a charity walk to be held in Knock Shrine next February. One parent became suspicious and contacted the school about the collection and was notified that the school had no links to the collector, and a charity walk was not taking place.
Speaking to The Mayo News, Principal William Culkeen said the parent rightly contacted the gardaí and he also said people should always check if charity collectors have a garda permit.
Gardaí at the District Headquarters in Claremorris were not available for comment.