Court poor boxes paid out 1.7 million euro to charities, hospitals and sporting organisations in 2018.
According to new figures released by the Courts service, Tralee in Co. Kerry paid out over a quarter of the total to come from court poor boxes nationwide.
The Society of African Missions was the charity to benefit most - taking in just over €116 thousand in 2018.
Donations are mostly used by the District Courts for first time offences and less serious matters.
Just over €30k was paid to Irish non-profit Pieta House, while our lady's childrens hospital and Temple Street hospitals benefited from €18,381 and €11,190 respectively.
In Co. Westmeath St Lomans GAA Club in Mullingar netted €20,000.
The Department of Justice says changes are coming.
New legislation is being drafted which intends to abolish the court poor box and replace it with a statutory Reparation Fund to provide for a transparent system.
