Begging gang ringleader jailed
A 33 years old Romanian man, charged with orchestrating a begging ring in the city last year was sentenced to three months in prison when he appeared at Galway District Court on Wednesday.
In imposing the term, Judge Mary Fahy observed that the man and his wife seemed to have been running a profitable business, when they were detected by Gardaí.
“It appears to have been quite lucrative – she was in a position to lodge €500 in bail, which is a lot of money for a lot of people,” she said.
Petrica Constantin and Gabriela Sau, of 139 Meadow Park, Athlone, Co Westmeath, appeared in custody, having been arrested on foot of bench warrants. They were assisted by an interpreter when Constantin pleaded guilty to one count each of begging and to organising others to do so, and his wife admitted to two counts of organising begging, one count of begging herself, and with failing to appear in court on a previous date.
Garda Damien Gormally told the court that undercover members of An Garda Siochana observed Constantin begging over the course of a few hours on Quay Street on June 26 last year.
“He was also seen collecting money from other people who were begging, and appeared to be orchestrating it,” the Garda said.
“His co-accused was also observed begging, and other beggars also approached her and handed over money. Both appeared to be in charge of a begging ring.”
Judge Fahy imposed a total of seven months imprisonment on the woman, which she suspended for two years on condition that she stays away from the city and county and does not reoffend during that period. She was further convicted and fined €200 for begging.
Meanwhile, Constantin was sentenced to three months in prison for orchestrating the begging operation.
For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.