Tina Cahill and David Walsh celebrating their engagement in Australia in a social media picture at the New Year

Gardai are investigating reports that bogus door-to-door collections are being carried out in the name of a Wexford woman charged with murdering her fiance in Australia earlier this year.

Tina Cahill, from New Ross in Co Wexford, has been in custody ever since her fiance of less than two months David Walsh died from a wound he sustained at the couple's Sydney home on February 17.

Her trial had to be adjourned earlier this year as she was too distressed to face the court.

Family and friends set up a fundraiser in her name but they are now warning people in their community not to donate to anyone carrying out door-to-door collections.

"This is not a part of our fundraising effort, ask to see a permit and please take the registration of the vehicle and report it to the gardai," a family friend said.

"It's really very frustrating to think that there are people in our area who think they can make a few quid off the back of something so distressing for the family. We really appreciate the kind support from all the community and would hate to see people's hard earned cash fall into the wrong hands. I'd say they'll have no luck for it but it doesn't always seem to work out that way," she added.

A number of people from the New Ross area took to Facebook to report that the apparent scam artists had called to their homes.

"I live in Adamstown and had callers to the house today selling tickets for a fundraiser for a Tina Cahill. I didn't buy any but have just been talking to a friend who says this is a scam and has been reported before and has nothing to do with the Cahill family," one person wrote.

"Hi, just read your post about the people going around selling tickets for Tina Cahill, we had them call to us yesterday aswell in Newbawn. There were 2 of them...they called here about half 5 yesterday evening," another wrote.

A garda spokesman confirmed to Independent.ie that the incident is under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact New Ross Garda Station on (051) 426 030.

Online Editors