‘Slush fund’ fears over court poor box plan

THE €1 million generated by the court poor box system could be used as “slush fund” by the Government to buy votes if new proposals are implemented, Labour warned yesterday.

The Law Reform Commission is proposing that the poor box system, which is used mainly by District Court judges in minor offences, should be replaced by a statutory system called the Court Charity Fund.

Under the proposals, the management of the fund will be handed over to the Department of Community, Rural, and Gaeltacht Affairs because it has responsibility for charities, the commission is recommending.