Dublin Simon in crisis over no-confidence vote

DUBLIN’S largest homelessness charity was in crisis last night following the passing of a no-confidence motion in the board during a heated meeting attended by hundreds of staff, volunteers and service users.

One Dublin Simon board member said he was shocked following Thursday night’s vote, effectively in support of dismissed former chief executive Greg Maxwell.

Mr Maxwell supporters tabled the no-confidence motion in the five-member board, which is to meet next week to decide whether to stand down.

More than 200 people, including a number of homeless, attended the near five-hour meeting in the Royal Dublin Hotel. It continued until the early hours of yesterday morning and ended with the passing, by 114 votes to 93, of the no-confidence motion.

Board member Tony Bateman said he and his colleagues were shocked at the result. However, he added: “it was a good thing for the organisation to have an extraordinary general meeting. People spoke passionately about Dublin Simon. “We acted in good faith for Dublin Simon and felt passionately that what we did was for the good of the organisation.”

The board will meet next week to decide whether to stand down. If it does, another meeting is likely to be held to vote on the composition of a new board and there is a possibility Mr Maxwell will be reinstated.

The former chief executive, who told friends he is signing on the dole, argued his corner at the meeting.

Dublin Simon, with a budget of over €7m, receives more than €3m in State funding every year. It manages hostels and outreach services and conducts research.

The dispute between different factions within the organisations has been rumbling on for a year. It took a more serious turn with the dismissal of Mr Maxwell last August.

Four former board chairmen are leading the charge against the present board and management.

The dispute has split staff and volunteers and many of them spoke at the meeting, in support of and against the present board. Sources described the meeting as heated, raucous and spirited.

A number of homeless spoke about Dublin Simon and its services.

Those who supported the board argue that the present management is attempting to inject more professionalism into the organisation, in line with recommendations contained in an analyst’s report presented last March.

Supporters of Mr Maxwell believe his dismissal was wrong and that the man who led the organisation for nine years had raised its profile and substantially increased funding.