GARDAI SET TO TARGET BEGGERS
CLAMPDOWN PROMISED AS AGGRESSIVE BEGGING RETURNS TO MAIN STREETS
AGGRESSIVE begging on the streets of Drogheda is going to be tackled in a pro-active manner by local gardai.
Superintendent Andrew Watters has said that a renewed clampdown on begging is ongoing and will see those engaged in it facing the courts.
He says he is aware of an upsurge in the intimidation of people - especially outside churches - and says it is going to end. ‘Up to Christmas we had a lot of begging and we had a campaign that saw those involved brought to court. Now it has started again, and it will get the same attention,’ he stated.
He says gardai on patrol are giving those apprehended one warning and ‘ that’s it’.
‘In the last two weeks, there has been issues and we are aware of those. People found begging on the streets of Drogheda face being arrested and that’s the policy we have. It won’t be tolerated.’
Many residents and businesses in the town have expressed concern at the influx of people begging on the streets in recent months, often knocking on car windows at traffic lights or approaching people at ATM machines or outside churches after Mass.
AGGRESSIVE begging on the streets of Drogheda is going to be tackled in a pro-active manner by local gardai.
Superintendent Andrew Watters has said that a renewed clampdown on begging is ongoing and will see those engaged in it facing the courts.
He says he is aware of an upsurge in the intimidation of people - especially outside churches - and says it is going to end.
‘Up to Christmas we had a lot of begging and we had a campaign that saw those involved brought to court. Now it has started again, and it will get the same attention,’ he stated.
He says gardai on patrol are giving those apprehended one warning and ‘ that’s it’.
‘In the last two weeks, there has been issues and we are aware of those. People found begging on the streets of Drogheda face being arrested and that’s the policy we have. It won’t be tolerated.’
Many residents and businesses in the town have expressed concern at the influx of people begging on the streets in recent months, often knocking on car windows at traffic lights or approaching people at ATM machines or outside churches after Mass.
One shop owner in Peter Street, who did not want to be identified, said she had watched motorists being intimidated in their cars while stuck in traffic.
“I saw a woman one day last week who looked terrified as a young man banged on her window looking for money,’ she told the Drogheda Independent.
“There seems to be five or six men or women who appear at the same time every morning, and I think it does worry people coming into the town, especially our older customers.”
Another local man contacted the Drogheda Independent saying that he feels some even feign disabilities, perhaps in an effort to induce more sympathy.
‘I have watched one or two walk off the bus on the Donore Road in the morning, only to see them half an hour later in the town centre bent over with a crutch or stick,” he said angrily.
“I never mind giving money to genuine hardship cases, but I don’t like to think the people of Drogheda are being seen as easy targets.”
Locally based neuromuscular therapist Anthony Cardona says he believes many of the disabilities are not genuine.
“Obviously I haven’t examined any of them, but I have identified a few beggars I believe fake disabilities,” said the owner of Boyne Body Clinic in Drogheda. “I cannot stand this. It ruins the towns reputation which already faces a lot of social issues. We need a proper policy and official support to have a better environment for all.”
One woman on Shop Street, who was approaching people for money, initially told this reporter she was from Macedonia and living in Drogheda, before changing it to Romania and adding ‘she was allowed to live here”.
When asked had she family, and had she sought the services of local charities or homeless agencies, she wrapped a scarf over her face and walked off quickly.
Maureen Ward from Drogheda Homeless Aid said they are aware of the issues this is creating in the town and she gets regular calls from members of the public.
“One of the most important aspects is whether individuals have the right to reside in Ireland, and they generally must be EEA citizens to do that,” explained Maureen.
“My staff and I get regular calls regarding people sleeping rough around Drogheda, some of whom may be from other countries including areas of Eastern Europe. If a person or persons are not in line with this, there are no supports in this county or country for them, and are not entitled to homeless services, including Drogheda Homeless Aid, or to go on local authority housing waiting lists. For many their main recourse is begging.
“All we can advise is that they contact the Louth Homeless Office or alternatively they contact Dublin Homeless Services.”
“People begging on the streets of Drogheda face being arrested. It won’t be tolerated’