Courts / Dublin / Report

Aggressive church beggar who fled gardai gets suspended sentence

Date
2026-05-08

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

An aggressive beggar has been given a suspended jail sentence for obstructing elderly parishioners as they entered a church at Christmas and for fleeing from the arresting garda. Razvan Rostas, who receives €232 per week in social welfare, was found guilty of aggressive begging and obstructing a garda. The court heard that elderly parishioners had to move around Rostas at the church entrance, and he fled when arrested. Rostas has three previous convictions, including one for theft and two previous begging offences. The judge fined him €250 for the aggressive begging offence and gave him six months to pay. For obstructing the garda after fleeing arrest, the judge imposed a two-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months. The defense argued that the prosecution had not proven obstruction, but the judge accepted the evidence of the garda and found the obstruction proven. Razvan Rostas pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Aggressive church beggar who fled gardai gets suspended sentence. Charges or matters: aggressive begging and obstructing a garda following an incident outside St Joseph's Church, Summerhill Road, Glasthule, on December 29, 2024. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

December 29, 2024 Incident
Christmas Other
2026-05-08 Publication

Case subjects

Razvan Rostas

Defendant

Charges: aggressive begging and obstructing a garda following an incident outside St Joseph's Church, Summerhill Road, Glasthule, on December 29, 2024 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Judge Fottrell fined Rostas €250 for the aggressive begging offence and gave him six months to pay. For obstructing Sgt Gallwey after fleeing arrest, the judge imposed a two-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months.