Ennis District Court renames poor box in bid to save it

The name was changed by a local judge who felt “poor box” was an outdated term.

Judge Patrick Durcan told the court: “Since the foundation of the State and prior to that, it has been been referred to as the poor box.

“I am a great supporter of the concept, but I find the name repugnant and Victorian in this day and age.”

Judge Durcan also suggested that “by using that name, it might actually help to try to protect the power of the District Court – and other courts – in the matter, as there is a certain element within our society and within the legal establishment trying to get rid of it”.

The Government is currently drafting legislation to replace the court poor box with a reparation fund for victims of crime, as recommended by the Law Reform Commission in a 2005 report.

However, the Criminal Justice (Community Sanctions) Bill is not expected to go before the Dáil until next year at the earliest.