Court poor box raises €7.5m amid concerns system lets offenders avoid paying victims

Retailers have raised concerns that offenders may be avoiding convictions by donating to charity without compensating victims

Minister Emer Higgins with CSNA chief executive Vincent Jennings launching the initiative 'Stop Crime Against Retailers'. File picture: Sasko Lazarov

Over €7.5m was generated in court poor box collections in the last five years, with Cork generating the third highest collection in the country from people in lieu of criminal convictions.

But concerns have been raised by the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA) that some people who steal from shops are avoiding conviction by donating to the court poor box without ever repaying the shop owner for the stolen goods.