Limerick County Council today issued a warning to consumers regarding the presence of bogus charity clothes collection services operating in the City environs and throughout Co Limerick.
The local authority says it has received numerous complaints from members of the public regarding the issue.
The Council stated that householders are faced every morning with a leaflet in their letterbox appealing for donations of clothes which the collector will pick up on a designated day. On checking the phone numbers and e-mail addresses of these bogus collectors, inevitably no reply is received. Anecdotal evidence suggests that criminal gangs are operating this business and much of the clothing is sold in Eastern Europe with none of the proceeds going to the Charity as is suggested in the leaflet. This, the council claims, is having negative knock on consequences for local indigenous businesses in those countries.
Councillor Mary Jackman, Chairperson of the Environmental Strategic Policy Committee appealed to householders to donate their unwanted clothes to legitimate charities.
She added: “There are many legitimate charities both in Limerick City and throughout the County such as Oxfam, Mrs. Quinn’s Charity Shop, Enable Ireland, St. Vincent de Paul, Animal Welfare and indeed many other bona fide collectors. While householders mean well in donating the unwanted clothes, it is a great pity that their good intentions of giving to charity ends up as a gain for criminal organisations.”
Gerry Behan, Director of Services, Environment Section, commented: “While this is not a waste activity within the meaning of the Act and cannot be prosecuted by the local authority, it is unfortunate that the good intentions of householders are not realised.”
“There are many outlets both in the City and Environs and indeed in the towns of Newcastle West, Rathkeale and Kilmallock who accept donations of clothing and are legitimate. A wide variety of charity shops are accessible to householders and we would urge the use of these”, concluded Mr. Behan.
The local authority says it has received numerous complaints from members of the public regarding the issue.
The Council stated that householders are faced every morning with a leaflet in their letterbox appealing for donations of clothes which the collector will pick up on a designated day. On checking the phone numbers and e-mail addresses of these bogus collectors, inevitably no reply is received. Anecdotal evidence suggests that criminal gangs are operating this business and much of the clothing is sold in Eastern Europe with none of the proceeds going to the Charity as is suggested in the leaflet. This, the council claims, is having negative knock on consequences for local indigenous businesses in those countries.
Councillor Mary Jackman, Chairperson of the Environmental Strategic Policy Committee appealed to householders to donate their unwanted clothes to legitimate charities.
She added: “There are many legitimate charities both in Limerick City and throughout the County such as Oxfam, Mrs. Quinn’s Charity Shop, Enable Ireland, St. Vincent de Paul, Animal Welfare and indeed many other bona fide collectors. While householders mean well in donating the unwanted clothes, it is a great pity that their good intentions of giving to charity ends up as a gain for criminal organisations.”
Gerry Behan, Director of Services, Environment Section, commented: “While this is not a waste activity within the meaning of the Act and cannot be prosecuted by the local authority, it is unfortunate that the good intentions of householders are not realised.”
“There are many outlets both in the City and Environs and indeed in the towns of Newcastle West, Rathkeale and Kilmallock who accept donations of clothing and are legitimate. A wide variety of charity shops are accessible to householders and we would urge the use of these”, concluded Mr. Behan.
