Laois children appear on RTE 1 after shutting their charity honesty box over thefts

Laois schoolchildren Liam and Sophie Ellis spoke to RTE Radio 1’s Brian Dobson about the theft of their money and eggs.

The children, who live between Durrow and Cullohill, had their honesty box and eggs stolen at the weekend in the fourth crime of its type since last October. 

The move forced the siblings, who are aged just 11 and 10, to close their honesty box which had helped them raise almost €3,000 for the Laura Lynn children’s charity over the past two years. 

“We kind of had the idea to sell them to the neighbours. We didn't want to keep all the money for ourselves so we decided to give some to charity,” Liam explained on the radio. 

“We gave half the money to Laura Lynn,” his sister Sophie explained. 

The enterprising pair admitted they were really surprised by the success of the venture. During the Covid lockdown they got more chickens and in total the children now have 104. 

“We thought it would just be a little business around here,” Sophie said. 

She explained that the chickens laid a lot of eggs, particularly in the warmer weather. 

“During the summer they were laying like mad,” she said. 

“We are getting around 60 eggs a day now,” said Sophie.

Liam said the eggs are very popular in the area. 

“A lot of locals stop when they are going past,” he said. 

Sophie recalled the first theft. 

“All the money was gone the first time. The drawer was pulled out,” she said. 

“The second time we kind of drilled a hole into the top of the box so they could put the money in but they must have got a hammer and they kind of made it dented and they got all the money out of that,” Sophie explained. 

“Last weekend 23 boxes were taken but the box wasn't damaged,” Liam said. 

“Earlier this week the box was broken into and all the eggs were stolen,” he added. 

Describing the theft as “very disappointing”, Sophie said she believes the gardai may be on the trail of the thief or thieves.

“We have a friend and he was coming behind and there was a car there and luckily he took a picture of the number plate,” she revealed. 

The children’s mother Catriona said she has been amazed at the response from people following the theft. 

“They are just amazing it takes the bad away from it, because everyone is so thoughtful and kind. Constant messages all morning and last night,” she explained.  

“Everybody loves the eggs so they want us to try and continue,” Catriona added. 

Community reaction 'brilliant' after eggs and honesty box stolen on children in Laois

She agreed that the children have put a lot of work into the venture and minding the chickens.

“We do realise it is just eggs but it is still important that it is looked into,” she said about the garda investigation. 

“We are just very thankful to all the neighbours and all the locals for being so good to Liam and Sophie and supporting them,” she added.