Call to tackle Cork clothes gangs

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has been asked to explain why legislation aimed at cracking down on bogus charities collecting clothes still hasn’t been implemented – even though it was passed by the Oireachtas last year.

Deputy Ciarán Lynch said he was amazed gardaí had not been given the power to act against such gangs, especially as they had been involved in a dangerous feud in Cork which had resulted in a number of clothes collection vans being burnt out.

Earlier this week, Garda sources said they were concerned violence could escalate between three rival gangs based in Cork, one of which has 30 vans operating around the country.

Garda sources said the clothes were being exported to eastern Europe and Africa and the business was estimated to be generating the gangs up to €1 million a week.

“This is a highly lucrative business, and millions of euro are at stake. But that is largely because it relies on these gangs pulling the wool over the eyes of well meaning people who are under the impression that they are handing their second-hand clothes to genuine charities,” the Labour Party TD said.

Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Lynch said foreign gangs were passing themselves off as charities and, in the absence of the relevant legislation being brought in by the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, will continue to do so with impunity.

Sections 2 and 3 of the Charities Bill 2009 makes provision for setting up a charities register and for the appointment of a Charities Regulator.

Under the provisions, it is an offence for any company or group to represent themselves as a charity– at the risk of stiff penalties.

“This legislation was passed unanimously in the Dáil. Unfortunately the relevant sections of the act have never been given the full force of law. If it was enacted then gardaí would be able to identify and prosecute bogus charities and those involved could be heavily fined or jailed,” Deputy Lynch said.

“Irish people have a long-established tradition of supporting charities, and indeed we are among the most generous in the world when it comes to personal donations, but this needs to be sorted out.”

The Taoiseach, meanwhile, agreed to examine the matter and respond to Deputy Lynch as soon as possible.