Mother of five avoids jail for aggressive begging in Waterford City
Waterford Courthouse.
A mother of five has avoided jail for aggressive begging, at Waterford District Court.
Florica Anghel (34) of 26 Francis Street, Waterford pleaded guilty to aggressive begging at The Book Centre on March 3, 2026.
Sergeant John Phelan told the court that on the day of the incident, Garda Stephen Barry was on plain clothes patrol and observed the defendant sitting outside the Book Centre.
She was blocking the path of pedestrians and shaking a cup.
Garda Barry observed the defendant for some time before intervening.
The court heard that Ms Anghel had one previous conviction, also for aggressive begging, for which she received a seven-day suspended prison sentence in 2020.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Hilary Delahunty said his client is a mother of five children and is always begging.
He said that while the gardaí do not usually stop begging, his client did go “over and above” what was acceptable, and she shouldn’t have.
But, he said, “many would not employ her” either.
Judge John Cheatle applied Section 1(1) of the Probation of Offenders Act but warned the defendant that if she came before the court again, she could face a custodial sentence.
Aggressive begging is an offence contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2011.
A person can be found guilty of the offence if, while begging, they harass, intimidate or threaten another person or obstruct a person’s movement or that of a vehicle.
If found guilty, a defendant may face a Class E fine or a term of imprisonment for up to a month.
