Political parties collecting at church gates is a ‘scourge’

A local authority is taking a lead in trying to end the "scourge" of many church-goers being intimidated by some political parties taking up annual cash collections.

Although the courts ruled that political parties are ‘charities’ for occasions such as church-gate collections, Kerry County Council is seeking a national ban.

The council has forwarded a motion to local authorities countrywide to support a proposed prohibition of church-gate collections by political groups.