Judge dismisses intimidating begging charge
Published on 12 December 2025
Courts Reporting Scheme
A judge has thrown out a begging charge against a man accused of intimidating Christmas-time churchgoers in south Dublin after finding the Garda evidence didn’t reach the required standard.
Nutu Rostas (27), of North Circular Road, Dublin 7, appeared before Dún Laoghaire District Court charged with begging and obstructing pedestrians at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Kill Lane, Deansgrange, on 29 December, 2024.
The court heard that gardai responded to a call in the area shortly after 11am and said they saw Mr Rostas standing near the entrance to the church with a cup out.
A garda witness said the accused appeared excitable and was shouting something he could not make out, causing some patrons to avoid him as they went inside.
A Romanian interpreter was present in court to assist Mr Rostas.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Silvia Maria Crowley BL, the garda accepted that he could not hear exactly what was said during the incident and agreed people were able to get around Mr Rostas.
He also accepted his view that the accused was aggressive was based on observations from a distance.
Judge Anne Watkin said the evidence did not establish intimidation or obstruction to the required standard and dismissed the charge.
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