19/10/2026
🚨 COMMUNITY NOTICE – THEFT FROM OUR CHARITY RETURN BINS 🚨
We are extremely disappointed to have to share this post with our community.
Unfortunately, we have experienced repeated incidents of individuals removing bottles and cans from our orange Return fundraising bins located throughout Bettystown and the surrounding areas.
🧡 Why are these bins so important?
Our orange Return bins allow members of the community to donate their empty cans and plastic bottles. Our volunteers then collect the deposits through the Re-turn scheme, with every single cent going towards fundraising for lifesaving defibrillators in our local communities.
These defibrillators could one day save the life of your family member, friend, neighbour or even yourself.
📸 Individuals and Vehicle Identified
We have obtained clear images of the individuals and vehicle believed to be involved in repeated incidents at our bins.
All relevant images and information have been passed to An Garda Síochána, who are dealing with the matter.
What makes this particularly frustrating is that our bins are already secured with locks, yet individuals have continued to gain access to them.
We are now reviewing further security measures and alternative locking systems to prevent this from happening again.
❗ A DIRECT MESSAGE TO THOSE RESPONSIBLE
PLEASE STOP.
You are not simply taking a few cans or bottles. You are taking vital fundraising money away from a voluntary organisation working to provide lifesaving equipment for YOUR community.
Every deposit stolen is money taken away from potentially purchasing another defibrillator. That defibrillator could one day mean the difference between life and death.
Our volunteers give up their own time to respond to life-threatening emergencies, raise funds and help make our communities safer. It is incredibly disheartening that we must now spend additional funds protecting charitable donations from theft.
💚 TO OUR COMMUNITY
We want to sincerely thank everyone who continues to support our orange Return bins. Your generosity makes a genuine difference.
If you witness anyone tampering with our bins or removing their contents without authorisation, please report it to An Garda Síochána.
Please continue supporting our fundraising efforts. We will not allow the actions of a few individuals to undermine the incredible generosity of our community.
Meath Coast Community First Responders 🧡
Your Community. Your Responders. Helping Save Lives
For any online donations can be made via our website below: ⬇️
www.meathcoastcfr.ie
