Irish Examiner view: Peter McVerry Trust hit by perception problem

The general public perceives the charity’s management as out of touch

Financial management and commercial partnerships are challenging areas, but they can be managed. However, a charity which feels it appropriate to spend money on peacocks has a more fundamental problem of judgement. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

In years to come, the financial chaos at the Peter McVerry Trust may fade, be forgotten, or perhaps just blend in with some of the other scandals of our time, but surely revelations about the peacock enclosure will always shine brightly in our memories.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) heard yesterday from Francis Doherty, who was CEO of the organisation for a brief period in 2023 before resigning when the full scale of the charity’s financial troubles came to light. The committee was told that under Mr Doherty’s predecessor, Pat Doyle, €350,000 was spent on a driveway at a shelter in Kildare, along with the construction of a new lift shaft and a peacock enclosure.