Hacketstown community pull out all stops for Tallaght’s needy

Hacketstown community pull out all stops for Tallaght’s needy

By Mary Dennehy

A TRUCKLOAD of toys pulled into Tallaght Garda Station last week thanks to the generosity of a Carlow community.

For more than 20 years, the residents of Hacketstown in Carlow have staged a toy-drive for some of Tallaght’s most needy families, with the caring community also starting an Easter egg collection in recent years.

Garda Hacketstown

The generosity of the Hacketstown community

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 – with the bumper Easter egg collection also growing into an annual custom for the Carlow community.

The bumper haul was delivered by community gardai – who have liaised with local schools and St Vincent de Paul to identify families in need.

Community gardai will also link in with families that they have come into contact with over the course of the year, and who may need some extra support at Christmas.

Community Garda Gary Duffy told The Echo: “Yet again the people of Hacketstown have gone out of their way to help families in Tallaght.

“These toys will make a big difference to a lot of families who are struggling, they will make things easier.

“The generosity of the people of Hacketstown is amazing – this toy collection is going on for 20 years.

“They are always very generous, and have amazing community spirit.”

Also thanking Father Jim McCormack, Garda Duffy confirmed that the toys are currently being delivered to families across the area.

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