Gardai escort Easter Eggs to local families
By Mary Dennehy
THE sweetness that still exists despite the current challenges faced was evident this week, when a tasty stash of around 600 Easter eggs arrived in Tallaght from Carlow.
It’s that time of the year when the community of Hacketstown in Carlow unites in generosity and donates hundreds of Easter eggs for Tallaght families in need of a little extra support.
Inspector Dan O'Donovan, Garda Pat Courtney and Garda Tom O'Riordan
For more than 20 years, the residents of Hacketstown in Carlow have staged a Christmas toy-drive for Tallaght families, with the community also starting an Easter egg collection in more recent years.
The toy-drive was originally initiated by former Killinarden priest Father Jim McCormack, who transferred from Tallaght to Hacketstown more than two decades ago.
On his arrival to Hacketstown, Father McCormack made an appeal on behalf of families living in Tallaght to his new parishioners and the annual toy-drive became a tradition – with the bumper Easter egg collection also growing into an annual custom for the Carlow community.
Last year, Father Jim retired after decades of caring and supporting communities.
Despite Father Jim’s departure and the current challenges faced by all communities due to Covid-19, the caring community of Hacketstown has continued on with the tradition, and this week filled a van destined for Tallaght with Easter eggs.
The bumper donation was collected by the community police at Tallaght Garda Station and is being delivered by local Garda in conjunction with Tallaght schools and organisations such as St Vincent De Paul and Barnardos.
Community Garda Pat Courtney safely escorted the chocolately haul of Easter eggs to Tallaght.
“These eggs make a huge difference to those who are struggling… it changes lives up here”, Garda Courtney said.
“It’s also a really nice connection that has lasted years, and it’s huge for families struggling to know that someone is thinking of them.
“It’s an amazing gesture of goodwill and we’re sending a big thank you to the community of Hacketstown.”
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