Councillor claims 'organised begging ring' operating in Westmeath town

An “organised begging ring” is operating in a Westmeath town.

That's according to Councillor Paul Hogan, who was speaking at Monday's Athlone-Moate Municipal District meeting, where several members reported incidents of intimidation and fear among the public, some of whom were followed to their cars.

The comments from Cllr Hogan came during a lengthy discussion on a motion put forward by Fine Gael's Cllr John Dolan calling for a bye-law to prohibit begging on the streets of the district.

The local authority said begging in itself is not an offence in Ireland, but begging in an aggressive intimidating, or threatening manner is a public order offence under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2011.

While Cllr Dolan said he hated to see people begging, unfortunately, it's a permanent occurrence in Athlone where people are being stopped, intimidated and hassled by those involved in “professional begging” which he claimed is associated with criminality.

If the laws are in place at least the guards have the power to deal with serial offenders, Cllr Dolan stressed, before detailing several cases of people who came to him who were followed to their cars and felt very afraid.

Throwing his support behind the motion, Fianna Fáil's Aengus O'Rourke agreed that there is certainly an “organised element” to the begging in Athlone, where those from outside the town are brought in large vehicles and they then put down their blankets and beg for the day.

“I have spoken to one or two to ask if they have gone to social welfare or other services and they don't want to engage at all,” he said, adding that they are steadfast in their purpose.

Are the council spending millions on their thoroughfares and widening streets to allow this type of activity? he asked, before answering his own question: “I don't think so”.

If the laws are not there, the guards cannot deal with it, he added.

While empathising with those genuinely begging, Independent Cllr Paul Hogan said what we see in Athlone is an “organised begging ring” where they are brought into town in people carriers daily to beg on the street. He said those who have fallen on hard times are much more likely to engage with the charities or services to seek help and the council needs to do all it can to empower them.

Both Cllr Dolan and Cllr O'Rourke stressed that there are supports there for anyone who falls on hard times and they, and all of the members, are available to help them.

Meanwhile, Mayor of Athlone-Moate Municipal District Cllr Vinny McCormack noted that begging is a problem around every corner, but it is the aggressive behaviour or following people that worries the public. He has sympathy with the guards who find it difficult to enforce the laws that are there.

While the council executive in a written reply said it didn't believe byelaws to prohibit begging were “warranted”, Director Services Barry Kehoe added that he recognised that there is an issue in town and people are concerned about groups being brought into Athlone to beg. However, new byelaws may or may not be effective, and it would be good to find out the views of guards in relation to the current legislation at the next Joint Policing Committee (JPC), or write to the local Superintendent to see if the council can give any assistance on this issue.

There is also provision in the current legislation whereby the Gardaí can direct people begging in certain areas to leave that area, for example, people begging at an ATM, a night safe, a vending machine or a shop entrance. It is also an offence to organise or direct someone else to beg.

Mr Kehoe reminded members that begging is not unique to Athlone and he sees it in Mullingar, Wexford, Waterford and many other towns.

While reluctant to support the motion, Green Cllr Louise Heavin said she understands where it is coming from and would like to see more involvement from the SVP and Midlands Simon.

She reminded people to report incidents to gardai as begging with intimidation is an offence as is organised begging.

Concluding, Cllr John Dolan described the matter as one of “organised criminality” using people and he is happy to send a letter to the local Superintendent on the issue, as he believes there is a deficiency in the laws that are there and a byelaw prohibiting begging could be a solution.