Ban chuggers from Dublin streets, says Flynn

'Chuggers' (or 'charity muggers') are now banned from 100 towns in England, with Croydon in south London the latest area to curtail street fundraising.

The move once again turns attention to charity collectors.

Dublin City councillor Mannix Flynn said he wanted tougher regulations in our capital too.

"I have substantial footage of them behaving appallingly on the streets (with) extreme anti-social behaviour," he said.

He said the footage shows the 'chuggers' "literally blocking the likes of Henry Street, blocking College Green, four and five abreast - and basically chasing people up and down the street."

Mr Flynn said he was calling for 'chugging' to be banned from certain streets in Dublin, and confined to specific times and areas elsewhere in the city.

"I'm not opposed to collecting for charity," he said, "but this (particular) behaviour by chuggers is making people feel emotionally blackmailed and pressured into signing up for (making donations) in order to get on with their business."

However CEO of Fundraising Ireland Anne Hanniffy said charities are heavily dependent on money raised by street collectors.

"If we do anything to impact to take away this method of fundraising, we are really taking away a massive contribution that is made to Irish society," she said.