Ahern to introduce €700 fine, jail term for begging
Irish Times
24.11.2008
Elaine Edwards
New laws are to be introduced to clamp down on begging, with offenders facing a maximum fine of €700 or a month in jail.
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said today the Government had approved the proposal, which would result in the first reform in begging laws since the Famine.
“There are various reasons why the law on begging needs to be reformed, not least the fact that some vulnerable members of the public are often fearful when approached on the street by individuals begging,” he said in a statement.
The Minister said business and tourist interests were also damaged by begging on the streets of cities and towns. “The current law does not provide An Garda Síochána with the powers to effectively police this problem.”
Mr Ahern said the reform follows a High Court judgment that the current law is unconstitutional.
“In the case Niall Dillon-v-the DPP the High Court found that section 3 of the Vagrancy (Ireland) Act 1847 was too vague and was incompatible with the Constitution’s provisions on freedom of expression and freedom to communicate.”
“However, the Court stated clearly that there was nothing in its decision that would prevent the Oireachtas from enacting new laws to control begging.”
Mr Ahern said he was satisfied the new legislation would address the constitutional concerns identified by the High Court.
Under the new public order offence, begging will be an offence where it is accompanied by “unacceptable behaviours such as harassment, obstruction or intimidation”.
Gardaí will be empowered to direct persons who are begging to desist. A failure to comply may result in an arrest and charge. On conviction, an offender could face a maximum penalty of €700 fine or a one month prison term.
The Minister said the law will recognise that circumstances can arise where “asking for help is not to be regarded as begging”.
“An example would be a young person not having money to pay a bus fare late at night.”
The Bill will be published in the coming months and the Department has published a general scheme of the proposals on its website.
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