Gardai found €250 in notes and coins on a 41 year old man who was begging on the streets of Ennis with a sign saying “I am very hungry, please help me”.
At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Sgt Aiden Lonergan told Judge Patrick Durcan that the cash was found on Ovidiu Danila of Charnwood Gardens, Clonsilla, Dublin 15 at Ennis Garda station after Mr Danila’s arrest for begging on February 24th last.
In the case, Mr Danila has pleaded guilty to harassing and obstructing the passage of persons while begging at Lower Market Street, Ennis on February 24th last.
Sgt Lonergan stated that Garda Nadine Keane observed Mr Danila sitting on the footpath at Lower Market Street with a paper cup in front of him and holding the cardboard sign saying “I am very hungry, please help me’.
Sgt Lonergan stated that Mr Danila was harassing members of the public that were passing by and obstructing the passage of the members of the public.
He stated that Mr Danila – who has no previous convictions – was situated beside the door of a jewellery store.
Judge Durcan told solicitor for Mr Danila, Tara Godfrey that her client should pay over a €100 fine for the offence.
Judge Durcan told Ms Godfrey: “Explain to him what the game is – he is a business man.”
Ms Godfrey that Mr Danila is a 41-year married father of three and arrived from Romania almost three years ago.
She stated that Mr Danila had the sum of money on him as a result of Big Issue magazine sales that he made.
Ms Godfrey stated for that Mr Danial’s first year here, he worked and prepared salads in Blanchardstown
She stated: “He hasn’t been able to find work because it dried up and he left the Dublin area and arrived in Galway.”
Ms Godfrey stated: “Himself and his wife are homeless and the three children are back in Romania.
She added that Mr Danila and his wife are trying to make a better life for themselves.
Ms Godfrey stated: “He apologises unreservedly. I appreciate that there was money in his possession but all of that being said, he has come to a very low point in his life here.”
Ms Godfrey stated that Mr Danila “promises not to come back to Ennis and promises not to beg and he is going to renew his efforts to find a job”.
Ms Godfrey stated that Mr Danila only has €4 or €5 on him and Judge Durcan gave him three months to pay the €100 fine.
