Mr. Brendan Ryan:

The practice of the court directing that money be paid into the poor box is carried out in lieu of or in conjunction with another penalty. The practice predates the foundation of the State and it does not appear that there is a statutory basis for it. It appears to extend from the judge's common law jurisdiction to exercise discretion in imposing penalties and other conditions such as the making of a donation to the poor box or a particular charity. While each court of first jurisdiction - the District Court, the Circuit Court and the High Court - has used the poor box on occasion, the facility is mostly invoked in the District Court.