Gerry Breen, Lord Mayor of Dublin, is enjoying his strolls to work as of late. All has changed utterly on the streets of the capital.
I would have encountered eight beggars on a short walk through the city now I’m seeing just one. Begging is much more random now and it is not as pervasive or aggressive as it was before the new Act came into force.
It costs in the region of €1 million a year to operate the offices of the Dublin Lord Mayor, for those of you who like figures.
The lack of filthy poverty stricken lumpens on the street is the effect of a wonderful new law, which has seen 177 people arrested for begging on the streets of Dublin over the course of just a few weeks. This Irish Times report on the matter makes for interesting reading.
THE GARDA Síochána has arrested 177 people for “aggressive begging” in the two months since new begging legislation was introduced on February 2nd.
The Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2011 was enacted by the Government to deal with an increase in incidents of aggressive begging and harassment.
Beggars of course have a habit of getting in the way here, for example this man who disgraced the nation by appearing in the international press when Ajaj Chopra from the IMF was enjoying a leisurely stroll around the Stephens Green area. It is about time these economic criminals were brought to justice.
Gerry, enjoy the view.
Click on the book for more.
Click on the book for more.
Donal
Ciarán
Sam
Come Here To Me! 
It’s starting to look like a city for the Lord Mayor rather than a city for the people who live in it.
On top of this there was an incident at the Smithfield Horse Fair yesterday (3/4/’11). A young lad galloping a horse was apprehended by the Gardai. From what I could see the incident looked manufactured and came close to breaking into a riot at one stage. The Gardai seized the horse and led it in the midst of an angry procession to the Bridewell along with the young lad. I can’t imagine how there could be a law in Dublin against galloping a horse. It seems the powers that be are determined to kill the event by harassment.
And in another recent incident emanating from Dublin City Council they issued this ban on Dublin.ie (A website run by DCC)
Quote:
vBulletin Message
You have been banned for the following reason:
Repeated posting of unacceptable comments in relation to the Catholic religion and the use of derogatory, inflamatory and indecent terminology in expressing the posted opinions.
Date the ban will be lifted: Never
tbh, I’m sick of beggars. I’m sick of being tapped on my in to my local shop, and again on my way out. I’m sick of being tapped every time I get the Luas (often). A lot of the beggars aren’t homeless and do it to supplement their income. I’ve overheard beggars talking about how they’d had accommodation organised for them by SW and then they didn’t go. That’s my effing money!
I’m also sick of dog shit on the streets – nobody bags it ever around my inner city area. I’m sick of the junkies. I’m sick of the guys pissing against my garden gate. I’m sick of my local shop being robbed by people who live around the corner. I’m sick of my car being vandalised. I’m sick of having to double-lock my bike. I’m sick of being apprehended by drunks when I’m on my way to work at 7.30am on a weekday.
Don’t get me wrong – I’m all for social equality. But this isn’t equality – this is taking the piss. And spilling it everywhere, spoiling the surroundings for everyone.
I was wondering where the nice lady beside my job had gone! Seriously! Now it all makes sense.