Tag Archives: begging

“SYSTEMATIC and organised” beggars on the streets of Ennis are taking advantage of the generosity of well-meaning local people, with some collecting up to €200 a day, it has been claimed. A meeting of the Ennis Municipal District this week heard calls for an investigation to be carried out by An Garda, Revenue and other State Agencies, with councillors saying organised begging is taking much needed funds away from local charities. The issue was highlighted by Councillor Johnny Flynn who said that people are being dropped off in the town centre to beg before being collected later. He said these are not local homeless people, but instead are “people plying their trade, it’s a business”. He insisted that Ennis is “one of the safest and friendliest towns in the country” adding he is proud of the actions of gardaí when dealing with criminal behaviour. He said that the actions of organised beggars “has to be called out” and an investigation …

A BRAWL that took place in broad daylight on the streets of Ennis was widely condemned at a meeting, this week, of Clare’s Joint Policing Committee (JPC). Several members voiced fears over activities in the centre of the county town since the onset of the pandemic, which has seen the introduction of pedestrianisation on O’Connell Street and reduced footfall as people work from home. Clare’s Garda chief also conceded that the pressure to staff roadside checkpoints had reduced the presence of the force in the town. However, he pledged to boost the visibility of gardaí on the streets as restrictions ease. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Mary Howard referred to footage circulating on social media that appears to show two young men brawling on Darcy’s Corner, a busy junction in the heart of the town. Despite the presence of onlookers, the men can be seen to leave the footpath and exchange blows in the middle of the road, before leaving …