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Garda clampdown on ‘professional beggars’ in Killarney

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KILLARNEY GARDAI are clamping down on professional or organised begging as the summer approaches.
There have been a number of recent instances of beggars targeting the town and Gardaí have described these individuals as “professional” beggars.
"They are not homeless or destitute, they travel into the town from outside the county and take up strategic positions in the town to beg on a professional basis,” a Garda spokesperson confirmed.
Under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2011, people are prohibited from begging in the vicinity of ATMs and entrances to business premises. It is also an offence to beg in a threatening or intimidating manner.
Gardaí are assuring the public that they will be enforcing the legislation and are encouraging the public to report any behaviour of this kind.