Irelands Issues

warmhands.coldheart

Yeah, I know the country has many but I'm talking about the magazine here.
You see the old Roma Ladies selling them outside your local Centra, Spar, Mace or other such local high street store. Are these in any way related to The Big Issue or Irelands Big Issue or is it just some complete scam/rip off?

saverbuyer

I was with a friend walking past Avoca, in a moment of weakness he stopped to buy one of these mags. The lady took his pound and refused to give him a copy. Said that was the only copy she had. He asked for his money back but she refused. I've since heard of this happened to other people, but when they complained and stood their ground some rough looking Eastern European types came and told them to move on...

donnac2558

As long as they are holding one copy, the police cannot touch them for begging. So they are all given one copy and refuse to hand it over.

I know someone who did get their £1 back. They stood their ground and got their phone out and started dialling the police(or pretended to), spoke loudly saying they were phoning the police.

One old cow now sits outside Centra Donegal Sq West and just begs, no magazines at all. Pity there is no police around or I would report her.

x12yhp

I have never actually handed over money. What annoys me is that they are here and doing this, it almost seems to be a 'thing' for many people from this part of the world. Are they here illegally? If they are here legally, why!? Is the system so bad as to actually let foreign immigrants into the country without any way to support themselves?

ballyblack

They are a business. its called 'organised begging' and if you give you are encouraging them

warmhands.coldheart

Is it actually a proper Magazine though?? If you search for Irelands Issues Magazine online it comes up with Irelands Big Issue, a completely different magazine which is essentially the Irish equivalent of The Big Issue..... so is this one a scam as opposed to just those selling it being scammers??

stephenni1971

By 'selling' the magazine on the street they can register as self employed. They can then get a National Insurance number. Then you can get benefits.

I wouldn't give them a penny - ever. If they have time to sit around and beg all day they have time to actually look for work.

warmhands.coldheart

stephenni1971 wrote: »

If they have time to sit around and beg all day they have time to actually look for work.

......but they cannot Legally work, NI Number or not !!

My question though is still not answered ..... is this actually a legitimate Magazine of a scam rip off and if it is why isn't something done about it??

whiteside

I often wonder who actually give these people money. They must be getting plenty though or they wouldn't be doing it. (Hard to keep a Mercedes in petrol these days) I never would give to Roma street beggars as to them its a business and there are always shady individuals lurking in the background who are the kingpins.

tommie

warmhands.coldheart wrote: »

......but they cannot Legally work, NI Number or not !!

If they come from within the EU then, yes, they can legally work here.
Outside EU then, no, they have to go through the Visa process

JulieElizabeth

I know of some Roma flower sellers who fleeced a very vulnerable man in Botanic Avenue one evening

Went into his pockets and even took the watch of his wrist