Woman charged with begging outside Letterkenny bank

A woman has been convicted for begging outside a bank in Letterkenny.

Monica Rostas, a 39-year-old Romanian national, appeared before Letterkenny District Court on Monday.

Rostas was charged with actively begging while obstructing the free passage of members of the public, an offence contrary to section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2011.

Sergeant Gerard Dalton told the court that Gardai received a report of a female ‘aggressively begging’ at Market Square, Letterkenny on January 25 last.

On arrival, Gardai found Rostas ‘harassing people outside the Bank of Ireland’.

Rostas was arrested and taken to Letterkenny Garda Station, where she was formally charged.

Solicitor for Rostas, Ms Fiona Browne, told the court that her client was hungry and ‘wanted money for a sandwich’.

Rostas, whose address was given as no fixed abode, Letterkenny, is now residing with her partner, Ms Browne said.

Rostas, who has no previous convictions, was accompanied to court by members of her family.

“Her family are here to help,” Mr Browne told the court. “If there is a fine, they will help her to pay.”

Rostas pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined €100 by Judge Éiteáin Cunningham. Rostas was given six months to pay.