Gardaí are relying on legislation ‘never intended for the purpose of begging’ to deal with aggressive and intimidatory begging, according to a Dublin City Council report obtained under The Freedom of Information Act.
Gardaí have been using sections of the Public Order and Childcare acts since 2007 when the High Court declared parts of the Vagrancy Act, which made begging illegal, to be unconstitutional.
According to the report, “begging has become a problem in the city centre by organised groups of people who make substantial earnings.”
Gardaí are becoming concerned that some individuals begging in Dublin are now using letters from theirs solicitors saying that begging is no longer illegal to avoiding being moved on.
According to the Garda Press Office Gardaí only have the power of arrest if they believe child safety is at risk.