A woman with a string of previous convictions for begging in public was ordered to stay out of Galway city centre as part of her bail conditions when her case came before the local Court.
Florentina Balalau, 8C Tulach Ard, Rahoon was arrested on December 23 last at Wolfe Tone Bridge. She had her feet out blocking the footpath, was actively begging and was arrested by Gardaí on foot of a complaint.
Judge Valerie Corcoran asked how much money was seized when arrested and prosecuting Garda Sgt Clare Heneghan replied “a minimum, just coins”. Her defence solicitor pleaded the defendant promised it would not happen again.
The Judge said with 14 previous convictions for the offence, she just couldn’t continue to beg on the streets of Galway.
She added that it was unacceptable that two days before Christmas with families out enjoying themselves to have the defendant bothering them in this way.
The defence pleaded that although the defendant was in this country for eight years, she had no PPS number and didn’t receive social welfare. She had family in Romania but found living in Ireland difficult.
Judge Corcoran said she found it difficult to believe she had no welfare entitlements and imposed a one-month prison sentence, suspended for one year with conditions.
She added that as she was living in Rahoon, she had no need to be in the city centre and made it a condition that Balalau stay out of the centre of the Galway and specified that this meant Shop Street and all connecting streets, High Street, William Street and Wolfe Tone Bridge.
The defendant was remanded on her own bond of €300 on a charge of failing to appear in Court until the April 27 sitting.
