€2m collected from courts' poor boxes, one quarter from Co Kerry

Some €2m was collected through the poor boxes of the country's courts in 2012.

New figures show the cash was divided up between 700 charities and community groups.

Oxfam Ireland was the largest benefactor, receiving more than €126,000.

A quarter of the funds collected around the country that year came from offenders in Co Kerry.

The country's courts can direct that money be given to the poor box in addition to, or instead of, another penalty.