The Mayor of Letterkenny-Milford has praised gardaí for their work investigating alleged fraudulent begging in Letterkenny and Ballybofey.
Cllr Donal ‘Mandy’ Kelly confirmed that arrests have taken place between Letterkenny and Ballybofey following reports of intimidating begging practices, adding the impact is already visible on town streets.
Speaking after a multi-agency meeting on Monday, Cllr Kelly said “It’s clear from conversations with organisations that people are being bussed in from as far as Sligo and being bussed back out in the evening. It’s clear there was a certain element of illegitimate begging,” he said.
“I want to thank the gardaí for making progress on the fraudulent element.”
Cllr Kelly brought the concerns of the public before a meeting with aid agencies on Monday, which was attended by representatives of Donegal County Council Housing section, HSE, Gardaí, Donegal Travellers Project, SVP, North West Simon Community and the Letterkenny Chamber.
“It was very informative to listen to the views and opinions of all at the table,” Cllr Kelly said.
“It was very obvious with the information that was gathered that there was fraud going on.
“It was also clear there is a lot of help out there and I would ask people in need to come forward. Charities are very eager to help anyone that comes forward.
“A situation has also come to light that people sleeping rough in Letterkenny were offered accommodation but they refused.
“All organisations are in agreement that we need to do our best to make people aware of the help that is available, to try and get people to come forward and seek help.”
Cllr Kelly said the meeting was not just a “tick the box exercise” and he wants to keep on top of the issue of illegal begging. A follow-up meeting is set to be held in the New Year.
He added: “SVP and other organisations want to make it clear to the general public that, instead of giving people money, to give them food and advice regarding the help that is out there.”
