Six people appear before Cork District Court on begging charges

Thu, 12 Dec, 2024 - 08:58

Liam Heylin

A garda operation in Cork city centre today saw the arrest of several people on begging charges arising out of incidents at around noon today.

One man had been warned by gardaí several times in the past few days to stop begging but he persisted.

Garda James Byrd arrested 42-year-old Zabar Harna of Ballyhooley Road, Dillons Cross, and charged him with obstructing the free passage of pedestrians by begging at noon on St Patrick’s Street, Cork, today.

Judge Mary Dorgan remanded him on bail to January 14 with a warning: “No offending, no drugs, no alcohol, and no begging.”

Vasile Feraru, 25, of no fixed address, was begging at Maylor Street around noon and arrested by Garda Cian Hennessy. He pleaded guilty and was put on a peace bond.

He came here a month ago for work but did not get it and had a return ticket home for December 28, Shane Collins Daly solicitor said.

Judge Mary Dorgan put him on a peace bond on conditions that he would not beg or commit any offences. The €29 cash in his possession at the time was forfeited to the State.

Mihai Feraru who appeared at Cork District Court. Picture: Larry Cummins

Mihai Feraru, 36, of no fixed address, was arrested by Garda Orla Moriarty and charged with begging at St Patrick’s Street in Cork. He pleaded guilty and the €28 in his possession was forfeited to the State. He was also put on a 12-month peace bond with the same warning about not begging or offending. “I told him on numerous occasions to stop begging in the last few days,” Garda Moriarty said.

Ionut Sergiu Rostas, aged 18, of no fixed address, was charged by Garda Cian Hennessy with begging at Grand Parade, Cork. He pleaded guilty and his €35 was forfeited to the State. He was also put on a peace bond with the same warning from the judge about future behaviour. He said he was hoping his family would arrange for a ticket for him to fly home to Romania.

Leustean Rostas, aged 48, of Bandon Road, Cork, was arrested by Garda Gheorghe Rosu and charged with begging. His case was adjourned until January 14.

Garda Shane Hayes arrested 32-year-old Alan Topor of Cork Simon Community at Grand Parade, Cork, and he pleaded guilty at Cork District Court to begging at Grand Parade in Cork and some other offences. Judge Dorgan directed preparation of a probation report for sentencing on March 19.