Laois/Offaly gardai issue warning about bogus charity collectors

An Garda Síochána in the Laois/Offaly Division has warned members of the public to exercise vigilance when making charity donations after individuals attended at churches and conducted bucket collections last weekend without any permit or lawful authority.

In a post on their Facebook page, gardai in the Laois/Offaly Division advised that legitimate charitable collections should always have the appropriate permit and the permission of the property owner, and collectors should also be readily identifiable.

"If you observe or are approached by anyone conducting a collection that you believe may be unauthorised, please contact An Garda Síochána immediately by calling 999/112 or your local Garda Station" advised the post.

The local garda division said the vigilance of the public "helps protect legitimate charities and prevents members of the public from being misled."