The Garda Síochána has become the latest agency to get involved in what is one of the largest fund-raising efforts for disaster relief undertaken to date in Ireland.
In conjunction with the Irish Hotels Federation, the Vintners Federation of Ireland, the Licensed Vintners Association and the Irish Red Cross, the Garda is asking people to donate whatever they can this new year's weekend to the relief operation in south-east Asia.
It is expected every pub, club, restaurant and hotel in Ireland will have a collection bucket on their premises this weekend.
Publicans will deliver all money collected to the local Garda station where gardaí will arrange to have it lodged directly to Irish Red Cross bank accounts.
The Vintners Federation has already donated €6,000 to the relief effort, or €1 per member.
A collection will take place at Masses in all Catholic churches in Ireland over the weekend of January 8th/9th, with the collection at Galway churches this weekend. Money from these collections will go to Trócaire, whose offices at Cathedral Street in Dublin will remain open today to receive donations.
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has donated £100,000 for immediate relief in disaster-struck areas. In a letter to all ministers, the Moderator, the Rev Dr Ken Newell, has asked congregations around Ireland to set aside time between Sunday January 9th and Sunday January 16th to allow members an opportunity to pray for victims and to contribute financially.
Today, the Asian Disaster Appeal collection at Dublin's Mansion House will take place from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. It continues on Sunday and Monday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. The collection, in association with the Irish Red Cross, will also take place at Dublin City Council regional offices and libraries from Tuesday next, January 4th.
The GOAL agency has put out an urgent call for doctors, nurses, logisticians, project managers, engineers and accountants for its relief efforts in Sri Lanka. Volunteers will be expected to give a minimum commitment of three months. Those interested can call GOAL at 01 280 9779.
This morning, the Irish Red Cross is sending Dubliner Mr Daire O'Reilly (29) to Indonesia in response to a call for experienced personnel from the International Committee of the Red Cross. He previously worked in Kosovo, Liberia and Palestine.
And an example of the many thousand private initiatives being taken by people throughout Ireland is that of Mr Lars O'Reilly at his I O Internet Cafe in Wexford's Cornmarket. There, from today until January 10th, the full price of every cup of coffee and tea bought will go to UNICEF for the tsunami relief effort.