Aengus Ó Snodaigh is the chairman of Liberty Recycling Ltd and is 'available to assist' with inquiries

SF TD is chair of charity probed over money laundering

by · RTE.ie

Sinn Féin has confirmed that its TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh is the chair of the charity under investigation by gardaí and the Charities Regulator for money laundering.

In a statement, the party said it supports the investigations by gardaí and the Charities Regulator.

It said that Mr Ó Snodaigh has engaged with the office of the Charities Regulator and has not been contacted by gardaí, but if required, he will make himself available to assist with their inquiries.

Mr Ó Snodaigh is the chairman of Liberty Recycling Ltd. Its website describes how it operates a clothes recycling "initiative to provide employment and training to local people affected by drugs".

The charity is involved in recycling clothes and other goods

"Sinn Féin has become aware of an ongoing Garda investigation, which is taking place in conjunction with the office of the Charities Regulator, into a charity organisation of which Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh is a board member and chair," the party said in a statement.

It added: "Sinn Féin fully supports any investigation. Deputy Ó Snodaigh has engaged with the office of the Charities Regulator. He has not been contacted by gardaí, but if required, he will make himself available to assist with their inquiries."

Earlier, RTÉ News reported that the charity remains on the register of the Charities Regulator.

Detectives from the garda's money laundering unit carried out a series of raids on the charity’s premises in Dublin and in the east and southeast of the country earlier this week.

A number of the items that were seized as part of the investigation
One of the cars that was seized as part of the investigation (Image: An Garda Síochána)

The charity, which is involved in recycling clothes and other goods, is suspected of laundering the proceeds of donations for private gain.

It has shops in several counties around the country.

Gardaí seized two BMW X5 cars worth around €250,000 along with luxury goods including Louis Vuitton bags, Rolex watches and jewellery with a total estimated value of €40,000.

The gardaí said the investigation is being carried out in conjunction with the office of the Charities Regulator.

It is understood the regulator alerted the gardaí to suspected discrepancies in the company’s charitable activities.

A spokesperson for the regulator declined to respond today when asked why the charity, which is at the centre of a major garda money laundering investigation, remains on the charities register.

The spokesperson said the regulator’s office was engaging with the trustees.

At present, there are a number of people on the board listed on the Charity Regulator's website.

The regulator said its role is to promote and support compliance with charity law.

Charity law sets out the requirements an organisation must meet to be registered as a charity.

For example, a charity cannot be an excluded body such as a trade union, sporting organisation or political party.

It has to follow a charitable purpose only, one that is recognised under law and provide a public, not a private benefit.

The garda investigation into suspected money laundering at the Dublin-based charity, which has a nationwide reach, has been ongoing for some time and is continuing.