Sinn Féin TD backs Ó Snodaigh who chairs charity in money laundering probe

The Charities Regulator cited concerns about directors’ oversight as the High Court moved to place the organisation under independent control

Aengus Ó Snodaigh is chairman of Dublin-based Liberty Recycling, a social enterprise focused on clothes recycling. Picture: PA

Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy has backed his party colleague, who chairs a charity at the centre of a money laundering investigation, despite criticism of its directors by the Charities Regulator.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh is chairman of Dublin-based Liberty Recycling, a social enterprise focused on clothes recycling.

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing on his part, and the Dublin TD is not under criminal investigation.

The High Court has appointed a provisional liquidator to the charity after the Charities Regulator applied to wind up Liberties Recycling Training and Development Company Limited.

The regulator said the appointment of a liquidator places executive control of the charity into independent hands “immediately to enable transitional arrangements to be put in place to support the charity’s vulnerable service users and employees”.

As grounds for its application, the regulator said there was “no effective management or oversight of the activities of the charity by its trustees/directors”.

The money laundering investigation by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) resulted in the seizure of luxury cars and goods worth approximately €300,000, while the charity’s bank account was frozen.

Last Tuesday and Wednesday, gardaí seized two BMW X5s and luxury goods, including Rolex watches and Louis Vuitton bags, during a number of searches as part of the investigation.

Carthy says colleague will cooperate 

Mr Carthy said on Wednesday that Mr Ó Snodaigh would “happily” address any issues raised by gardaí and the Charities Regulator.

Mr Ó Snodaigh has sought an emergency meeting of the charity’s board.

Mr Carthy said: “I think in the first instance and it’s very important to be just categoric, Aengus Ó Snodaigh is not under criminal investigation and in fact, he has set out very clearly that he’s very happy to engage with the gardaí and the charities regulator in relation to any of these these matters and I’m sure will answer all relevant questions in due course.

“In the first instance, I know that Aengus has sought an emergency meeting of the board, where all options will be on the table, and that he is engaging, or at least seeking to engage, with the Charities Regulator and the gardaí at any level that they they wish.

“He has set out that his priority is the staff in the first instance, but also the beneficiaries of the work of the charity, who, as far as I can see, played absolutely no role in any alleged role.

“Aengus is absolutely a competent TD, and I think if anybody asks themselves why Aengus was the chair of of this charity, it’s because Aengus is a grafter, and he got involved in a charity because of the work that that charity was doing and the good work that it was doing.

“If there are any issues that need to be answered, Aengus has made it clear that he will happily do so.” 

Asked whether Mr Ó Snodaigh had spoken to gardaí, Mr Carthy said he was “not aware he has”.

“You’ll appreciate what Aengus has said very clearly is that he’s eager and happy to assist the gardaí and the charities regulator in their work, and I think that’s appropriate to be frank about it,” Mr Carthy added.

Asked whether Mr Ó Snodaigh would make himself available to answer media questions, Mr Carthy said: “Well, because there’s an ongoing investigation, I’m sure there will have to be consideration as to whether or not that is appropriate at this stage.” 

The charity operates from multiple locations and has a wider management team.