Northern Ireland

Parishioners warned not to give Trócaire boxes to scam callers

People have been urged not to hand over Trócaire Lenten boxes to callers at their home amidst a scam operation. Picture by Hugh Russell
People have been urged not to hand over Trócaire Lenten boxes to callers at their home amidst a scam operation. Picture by Hugh Russell People have been urged not to hand over Trócaire Lenten boxes to callers at their home amidst a scam operation. Picture by Hugh Russell

PARISHIONERS at Catholic churches have been warned not to hand over Trócaire boxes to people calling to their door as part of a scam.

Several parish bulletins over the weekend carried notices advising Mass-goers to only return donations to schools, parishes or to Trócaire offices.

It follows reports last month that homes in two parishes in Co Offaly were visited by people claiming to represent Trócaire.

Trócaire Lenten boxes were delivered to their doors with instructions that the callers would return after Easter to collect the money.

A bulletin notice in St Agnes' Parish in Belfast read: "This is not a genuine Trócaire or parish method of delivery or collection, so please report any such activity to the police and make us aware also please."

At the time of the incidents in Offaly, Fintan Maher of Trócaire’s told the Irish Catholic: "We would like to remind people that each Trócaire box contains clear instructions about the ways supporters can return their box after Lent.

"Boxes can be returned to local schools or parishes, or cheques or postal orders can be sent to Trócaire offices in Maynooth, Cork, Belfast or Dublin."

Trócaire is the overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland and its Lenten campaign raised more than €8m last year.