Woman summoned to court for begging
Portlaoise Courthouse
A WOMAN who was aggressively begging in Portlaoise was ordered to take part in the Athy Alterative Project when she came before the local district court.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said that while gardaí was patrolling the town they saw Marioara Harna from 31 Harpur’s Cresent, Portlaoise, sitting on the ground and shaking a can and being very aggressive towards people forcing them to cross the road to go by her.
He said gardaí has seen her several times before this begging, and that she had six similar previous convictions.
Philip Meagher, solicitor for the 60-year-old woman, said that his client was pleading guilty to the summons of begging.
He said that his client had been having “a lot of difficulties getting social welfare and assures the court, she won’t do it again.”
Asked by Judge Susan Fay is Ms Harna now in receipt of a social welfare payment, Mr Meagher replied: “It’s a work in progress.”
Remanding the defendant on continuing bail to 9 February for finalisation of the case, Judge Fay ordered Ms Harna take part in the Athy Alterative Project.
