Two female beggars who stopped a number of worshippers from entering a church whilst aggressively pursuing some coin were each fined €200 in the District Court this week (July 14 ).
Inspector Nicholas Farrell explained how Mindruta Muntean (20 ), and Anghel Marcella (24 ), both with an address in Meadowbrook, Willow Park, Athlone were arrested for obstruction after a number of people trying to attend a funeral in St Mary’s church on May 8 complained to gardai about the women’s tactics.
Pleading for leniency on behalf of his client, Mr Paul Connellan explained that Muntean, who had a previous conviction in March for a similar offence, has a child with a serious heart condition and “no source of income”.
“She has effectively been begging since arriving here two years ago,” said Mr Connellan.
“Not begging but obstructing,” Judge Aeneas McCarthy corrected Mr Connellan, reminding him begging is no longer an offence in the State.
Her co-defendant Marcella, as well as being fined €200, will have to return to Limerick District Court today (July 16 ) to face the judge who gave her a three month suspended sentence on July 7.
A third co-defendant, on temporary release from Mountjoy jail and having to sign on there as a condition of her release on the court date, had her hearing put back until July 28.
