Organised begging returns to Cork city centre

Cork Business Association Chief Executive Lawrence Owens said the issue was dealt with by Gardaí over the Christmas period, but the problem has now returned.
He said that coming into the summer period, with tourists visiting the city, it is not showcasing the city at its finest.
“We have a massive tourist season coming on, the highest numbers of tourists coming in to Cork, and it is the first thing you see now entering the city.”
Mr Owens said the phenomenon of organised begging is affecting the city centre and action was required by An Garda Síochána to tackle it.
“There needs to be ongoing action, not just a one-day wonder, it needs to be ongoing. We need to keep our city open and free for tourists to enjoy.”
In the run up to Christmas, five Romanian nationals were brought before Cork District Court to face begging charges as the judge warned them that any future repeat offences could result in jail terms.
Former CBA President and English Market trader Pat O’Connell said the trend of people flying in from another country to beg on the streets in Cork was very frustrating to see.