Hacketstown comes up trumps again for families
By Mary Dennehy
FOR the past 24 years the community of Hacketstown in Carlow has been donating a van-load of toys to struggling families in Tallaght at Christmas – and this year is no different.
Last week, community gardai from Tallaght travelled to Hacketstown to collect a bumper donation of toys, which will be distributed to families in need of extra help this Christmas.
Garda Gary Duffy, Peter Collins, Michael Groarke and Pat Courtney with the Christmas toys from Hacketstown
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 Tallaght’s disadvantaged families to his new parishioners and the annual toy-drive became a tradition.
The bumper haul is this week being delivered by community gardai to families they have come into contact with during the year, and also through liaising with local schools and St Vincent de Paul.
Speaking with The Echo after collecting the toys from Hacketstown, Tallaght Community Garda Gary Duffy said: “A very big ‘thank you’ once again to the people of Hacketstown.
“These toys make a huge difference to the lives of people in Tallaght who are unfortunately struggling this Christmas.
“These toys have a huge impact on both children and their parents.”
Thanking Hacketstown for its generosity, Garda Duffy also extended a special thanks to Father McCormack, who is retiring this year.
The community of Hacketstown also sends a chocolate stash to Tallaght at Easter time.
