Selling of Big Issue magazine is ‘vehicle for fraud’ - Judge

A District Court judge has requested a representative from street magazine ‘ The Big Issue’ to attend court after hearing two men where holding a street collection without a permit.

Judge Kevin Kilrane made the request after hearing evidence pertaining to, Bernard Sweeney (49) of 47, Gilmartin Rd, Tuam and Owen Maughan (38) of 14, Abbeyvale, Ballyhaunis who were holding a collection on Wine St on March 9 th last without a permit.

The two men had pots hanging from their necks and engaging with the public. The sign on each pot read, ‘Please Support, Thank You’.

Sweeney had €32.82 in his bucket and had four Big Issue magazines nearby. The court was told Sweeney had 95 previous convictions, among them for acting as a collector and holding a collection without a permit, along with burglary.

In relation to the co accused, Maughan had €2 on his person on the day and had been engaging with the public. He had three Big Issue magazines which were not on display.

Maughan had nine previous convictions, including criminal damage and assault.

Defending solicitor, Mr Mark Mullaney said his clients were issued with permits by The Big Issue to allow them to sell the publication. He added that if his clients had gone about their business in the right way they would not have been committing an offence.

Judge Kilrane noted this issue of collecting without a permit had come up before in respect of the magazine. The judge questioned how someone with two previous convictions for unlawful collections had received a permit from the organisation. Mr Mullaney explained the men attended the Big Issue office bought the magazines for €1.50 and would sell them for €3.

“It’s a vehicle for fraud”, said the judge adjourning the matters to March 5 th next.