Beggar banned from Galway for a year

Another beggar from Athlone has been barred from Galway City for the next 12 months after appearing before Galway District Court.

Ioan Savu (47), with an address at 119 Meadowbrook, Athlone, pleaded guilty at Galway District Court to begging at Eyre Square on December 15 last.

Defence solicitor, Valerie Corcoran said Savu had come to Ireland a couple of months ago to look for work. He travelled to Galway to look for work but had to beg because he had no money to pay for his return to Athlone.

“We have quite a number of people coming from Athlone to beg in Galway and it’s hard to believe someone would arrive in the middle of Winter looking for work,” Judge Fahy told her.

She sentenced Savu to one month in prison which she suspended for 12 months on condition he be of good behaviour and stay away from Galway City for the 12 months.

“Over the past number of years we have seen a significant number of people, particularly coming from Athlone, and I feel he is probably in contact with some of those people. I just don’t believe someone would just drop out of the sky into Galway from Athlone,” Judge Fahy added.