Councillor wants bylaws on aggressive charity collectors

A Bailieborough councillor is calling for new by-laws to rein in aggressive charity collectors.
Cllr Niamh Smyth (FF) tabled her motion to Cavan County Council on Monday (June 15) seeking to tackle “aggressive and pushy” collectors that interfere with those, “especially the elderly,” going about their daily business.
“Post office owners are at a loss on this issue and I am not talking about collectors for Cancer Care, daffodil-sellers or Saint Vincent de Paul, or any of those reputable groups, it’s important to note that distinction,” said the Fianna Failer, who noted the “substantial commission” the former set of collectors are set to gain with donations.
She criticised collectors with “permits from a court in Dublin”, who are “well versed on their rights when challenged”, travelling to the county and employing “aggressive tactics” and taking up certain prominent locations and dishing out “verbal abuse and tirades” to opposing shop-owners.
She said once a court had granted a permit “there is nothing we can do” but suggested that by-laws could be put in place, as they are in Monaghan, to limited areas, excluding, “for example post offices”.
Ballinagh Cllr Winston Bennett said he “totally agreed” with the proposal but that a lot of recent bona fide causes should be distinguished from collectors on commission such as “palliative care, the Holy Family School and Drumlin House” to make sure the latter are not restricted.
Director of Services Eoin Doyle said that he thought the matter “important” and said it should be taken up initially with gardai and suggested it be raised at the next Joint Policing Committee.