person begging on shop street today

telepylus

there was a person begging on shop street today, and I don't really know how to describe it, but from their knees down was bent forward. basically, imagine yourself kneeling on the ground, and your knees to your feet are the opposite direction, i.e. in front of you. I've have never seen anything like it, never even knew it was possible!! Anyone else see this person?

cats.life

saw him a few times ,wouldnt give anything to him cos im thinking he is not a real begger, this topic was on here few months ago , he was mentioned . did you see a wheelchair with him.

biko

Yeah he's mentioned here before and also in AH (spotted in Dublin and a few other towns).

TotallyEpic

Yeah, I've seen him a few times, outside the post office mainly.

bloop

was he in portlaoise by any chance??

Phoney

pebbles21

He gets around ...was in Henry st Dublin last week!

pebbles21

think i fixed that now;)

tracert

Yep, does be down in Kilkenny the odd time. He's fair freaky.

cats.life

pebbles21 wrote: »

He gets around ...was in Henry st Dublin last week!

he is a diferent guy to what i saw, oh crap he looks real enough. the guy im thinking of has a wheel chair with him.

magentas

yeah he is normally begging on rosemary avenue would see him every day at lunchtime. My first Sat in town in ages and seen him making his way down shop street. Never saw him actually moving before today though

TheCosmicFrog

Ah, Johnny Wronglegs :rolleyes:

Cavehill Red

On his Irish tour, apparently.

Coeurdepirate

Saw her today outside Boots in shop street,then saw her 'walking' down past the Abbey while I was on the bus.

dessierb

He is part of the Roma gang that go around the country in groups. Some beg some rob and some solicit at night time and then rob the punter. Very aggressive and evil gang who will do anything to get your money. My advice is NEVER give them a penny. I know what and where this money goes to. These guys and girls are excellent deception artists. Granted this guy has a disability and it is genuine but he does not need your money. They are all THIEF's.

siltirocker

Im pretty sure the person i saw down by the market with this handicap yesterday was a woman. So probably a different person.

No there are two of them - one female, one male.

LadyMayBelle

Do a little search on Johnny Wronglegs here on boards and you'll find a good few threads on him/her, and also places he/she has been, which seems to including galway, Ennis, Dublin and the midlands..

Could this be brought to the Guards attention though?

Mrs OBumble

I'm pretty sure the guards are acquainted with him/her.

But you can only really complain if there's a crime being committed.

Does it not constitute as fraud though? I mean if there is actually nothing wrong with them as such. I'm pretty curious about this

cats.life

Deleted User wrote: »

Does it not constitute as fraud though? I mean if there is actually nothing wrong with them as such. I'm pretty curious about this

sure the people are going to give them the money,no law in given is there? i should be in jail then cos i give to galway hospice.

WesternNight

Deleted User wrote: »

Does it not constitute as fraud though? I mean if there is actually nothing wrong with them as such. I'm pretty curious about this

I don't think you have to have anything wrong with you to beg.

In 2007, the High Court struck out laws outlawing begging in public on the grounds that it interfered with the right to freedom of expression. Since then, gardai have been left powerless to deal with beggars. Figures for 2008 indicate that only 30 people were arrested on begging-related charges, and two convicted.

Legislation expected to be introduced before the New Year will see begging made an offence when accompanied by unacceptable behaviour such as harassment, obstruction or intimidation.

Begging itself will not be criminalised but gardai will have the power to move beggars away from ATMs, businesses and private homes. The offence will carry a maximum one-month prison sentence and fines of up to €400.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/vast-majority-favour-tougher-begging-laws-2316059.html

I'm not sure what those 30 people did to be arrested, but it must have been major enough seeing as they're currently allowed to beg more-or-less without limitation.

happyoutish

Seen him in McDonalds on shop street yesterday. My 4 year old said "look mum that man can turn his legs around.............. thats so cool" .........eh i think not! lol..

WesternNight

WesternNight wrote: »

I don't think you have to have anything wrong with you to beg.




http://www.independent.ie/national-news/vast-majority-favour-tougher-begging-laws-2316059.html

I'm not sure what those 30 people did to be arrested, but it must have been major enough seeing as they're currently allowed to beg more-or-less without limitation.

I'd be more curious as to what the two that got convicted had done!

thesandeman

Lol. I think we should have a 'Boards.ie Galway City Forum IBTL Characters of Galway Festival' It would definitely be up there with the Latin Quarter one B-)

Mrs OBumble

Deleted User wrote: »

Does it not constitute as fraud though? I mean if there is actually nothing wrong with them as such. I'm pretty curious about this

Well I guess you could sue for fraud, but you'd have to prove a few things that could be tricky. And he may not have much cash to pay the fine etc - it may not be worth the effort.

steel_spine

Probably 'Johnny Wronglegs'
Be wary if you see him, he's not only begging but used as a distraction tactic by people who'd pick your pockets...

Elevator

ah legs:)

McDougal

He's not begging, he's busking