Garda Superintendent: Romanians flown in to beg on Cork streets

People have flown in from Romania to take part in organised begging in Cork City, a senior garda has confirmed.

Chief Supt Barry McPolin told a meeting of the Cork City joint policing committee that gardaí found return airline tickets to Romania in the possession of members of a group who were arrested in the city recently for obstruction, and who were later prosecuted for offences under begging legislation.

“We have secured some evidence to suggest that some elements of these people who are involved in begging are organised,” said Chief Supt McPolin.