A MONAGHAN woman who said she was offered the chance to pay a €400 "charitable donation" to a court in lieu of a conviction and penalty points for speeding has expressed disappointment that the money is destined for a local GAA club and not "a more worthy charitable organisation".
Alison O'Donovan, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, said she was before Judge Desmond Zaidan at Naas District Court on Wednesday for driving at 72km/h in 50km/h zone, on March 24th. Ms O'Donovan said she never received an on-the-spot fine notice but was summonsed to appear in court.
She told RTÉ Radio One's Livelineyesterday that Judge Zaidan offered her the opportunity of paying €400 to Sallins GAA club in lieu of a fine and penalty points.
While she was anxious to avoid the points, she was "appalled" that "I was asked to pay over €400 to a GAA club rather than to a more worthy charitable organisation. I don't see why GAA clubs should be in receipt of charitable donations from the Courts Service."
Liveline also heard from a man who was made the same offer by a court but agreed instead that the donationshould go to the charity Aware.
Coincidentally the programme was broadcast on the day the Seanad approved a Labour Party amendment to the Charities Bill to secure "charitable status" designation for sports clubs.
Labour Senator Dominic Halligan, who proposed the amendment, said he had not been aware of the court cases, but he welcomed the inclusion of sports clubs as "charities" for the purposes of donations.
"Interestingly, as the law stands, if that lady's donation is used towards providing a roof for the GAA then she could claim tax relief on it," Mr Halligan said. "If however it is used for running costs, she could not. What this amendment means is that all money donated to sports clubs would be treated the same and deductible for tax purposes."