Hacketstown Easter eggs will make a difference to families

TALLAGHT gardai made their annual 60km trip to Carlow this week to collect a massive haul of Easter eggs from the community of Hacketstown.

It’s that time of the year when the community of Hacketstown unites in generosity and donates hundreds of Easter eggs for Tallaght families in need of a little extra support.

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.

Father Jim has since retired, but the warm generosity continues.

According to Community Garda Pat Courtney, who is based at Tallaght Garda Station, the eggs will make a big difference to many families this Easter.

“The people of Hacketstown have come up trumps again,” Garda Courtney told The Echo.

“We’re always very grateful to the community of Hacketstown for their kind donations.”

He added: “All of the eggs have been given out to groups and families in the community.

“The gardai here have connections with a myriad of local groups, and these eggs are always gratefully received.”

Garda Courtney extended thanks and Easter wishes to Hacketstown on behalf of the Tallaght community.