Call for new begging law to protect children.Byline: BY SENAN HOGAN BEGGING children must not be criminalised under new legislation protecting members of the public, it was claimed yesterday. Under the laws, street beggars could be fined EUR EUR In currencies, this is the abbreviation for the Euro. Notes: The currency market, also known as the Foreign Exchange market, is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average volume of over US $1 trillion. 700 or jailed for a month if they obstruct, harass or intimidate passers-by. However, the ISPCC ISPCC Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children - which runs the Leanbh service protecting child beggars on streets - said child protection controls must be enshrined in the proposals. Existing legislation covering begging, the Vagrancy vagrancy, in law, term applied to the offense of persons who are without visible means of support or domicile while able to work. State laws and municipal ordinances punishing vagrancy often also cover loitering, associating with reputed criminals, prostitution, and (Ireland) Act 1847, dates from Famine times. Leanbh manager Adriana Fechete said: "Children who beg or their parents or guardians must not be criminalised under the new legislation. "Child protection must remain the main consideration above all else." Justice Minister Dermot Ahern hopes the new provisions may become law before the summer. He said: "Intimidation and threats of violence are sometimes used by these people and women and the elderly are often fearful for their safety. "It is very distressing to witness young children effectively forced on to the streets to beg by sinister adults." CAPTION(S): CRIMINALISED The Government has announced new laws to reduce begging Picture: COLLINS PHOTOS |
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