The issue surrounding the number of charitable collections in Westport was raised at a Joint Policing Committee Meeting on Monday as committee members were concerned that the elderly were intimidated into giving money to such collections.
The Cathaoirleach of the town council, Councillor Tereasa McGuire, said that there should be a database which co-ordinates national and local street permits as with the number of collections in the town she has observed as “an assault” by some collectors, on pensioners near the Post Office, who therefore feel that they have to donate and are “giving away their money”. Cllr Christy Hyland concurred that often pensioners feel “intimidated” to give to these collections.
Cllr Martin Keane asked about the so called “music makers” on the street, who pretend to play instruments but who are collecting for themselves.
Superintendent Mick Murray said that it is difficult to deal with the issue of charity collections as the majority of collectors have permits. As for the “music makers” the superintendent said that “they are not covered by permits” and what they are doing “constitutes begging.”
