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Ó Snodaigh approved non-charity entities, Irish court told

The Liberty Recycling investigation concerns suspected money laundering, while Sinn Féin says its lawmaker is not under criminal investigation.

Channel: RTÉ News ·

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Sinn Féin TD signed off on establishment of two non-charity entities, court told | RTÉ News

Things we can learn from the video

Press to jump

0:34The Charities Regulator seeks to wind up Liberty Recycling over concerns about unlawful activity and governance.
1:21Commissioner Justin Kelly describes a complex investigation but says the problem is not widespread across charities.
1:47The court hears about non-charity entities and a letter signed by Ó Snodaigh concerning a car-trading venture.
2:34Pearse Doherty says Ó Snodaigh is not under criminal investigation and will engage with authorities.
3:25Reynolds outlines concerns about high-value car purchases, trustee oversight and safeguarding the charity's assets.

Ireland's High Court has been told that Sinn Féin lawmaker Aengus Ó Snodaigh, chairperson of clothing charity Liberty Recycling, signed off on establishing two related entities that were not charities.

RTÉ News, from Ireland's public broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann, reports that Gardaí are investigating suspicious transactions involving substantial international transfers through the charity's bank accounts. Documents submitted to the court describe an investigation into suspected laundering of the proceeds of crime.

The report distinguishes that inquiry from Ó Snodaigh's position. Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty says: "Aengus Ó Snodaigh is not under any criminal investigation, and so that's really important to say." Doherty also says the lawmaker will engage with authorities. A TD is a member of Dáil Éireann, Ireland's lower house of parliament.

Crime correspondent Paul Reynolds reports that the Charities Regulator is seeking to wind up Liberty Recycling over concerns about unlawful activities and governance failures. The court heard about separate entities established under the charity's name, including a car-trading venture referred to in a letter signed by Ó Snodaigh.

In his live update, Reynolds describes the regulator's concerns about high-value cars bought for senior staff, inadequate trustee oversight and a failure to safeguard assets. These are findings and concerns presented in the proceedings, not a criminal verdict.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly calls the investigation extensive and complex, declining to give details about the movement of funds. He also cautions against treating the case as representative of charities generally: "It's certainly something we're concerned about in An Garda Síochána, but it's not a widespread problem, I would say, in the charity sector."

Asked about the board's conduct, Doherty says he is not privy to what individual members raised and cannot comment on that aspect.