Courts / Dublin / Report

Women who set up charity collection without permit have donations forfeited

Summary

Bridget McDonagh and Catriona McDonnell, both of Finglas, Dublin 11, pleaded guilty at Tallaght District Court to holding an unauthorised collection and acting as collectors without a permit at Rosemount Shopping Centre, Rathfarnham, on 8 November 2024. Garda Elaine Phelan reported that the women were collecting donations while wearing Alzheimer Society of Ireland branded bibs and using a branded bucket, despite the charity having no scheduled event in the area. The women could not produce a Garda permit, and the bucket, which contained coins, was seized. Defence solicitor Padraig O'Donovan stated the women believed they were authorised to collect for a charity coffee morning after correspondence with the Alzheimer Society, though they did not realise a permit was required. The court noted that McDonagh has no previous convictions, while McDonnell has a 2010 conviction concerning a false instrument. Judge Áine Clancy ordered the seized money to be forfeited to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. Regarding sentencing, Judge Clancy described the case as "a difficult one." She convicted McDonnell and fined her €350, allowing 12 months to pay. For McDonagh, the Judge granted the benefit of the Probation Act under Section 1(1), leaving her without a conviction.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Women who set up charity collection without permit have donations forfeited. Charges or matters: holding an unauthorised collection and acting as collectors without a permit at Rosemount Shopping Centre, Marian Road, Rathfarnham, on 8 November, 2024. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• 8 November Hearing Or Sentence
• 2025-11-26 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

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Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report