Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh has asked to make a personal statement to the Dáil about Liberty Recycling, the Dublin charity he chairs, which is at the centre of a garda investigation into alleged money laundering. The request was confirmed on Tuesday, 3 November, after senior Government figures piled pressure on him to explain his role.
Sinn Féin said Ó Snodaigh had contacted Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy to seek time in the chamber. It was not immediately clear when the statement would be made.
What the regulator found
Liberty Recycling, which trades as a textile recycling social enterprise aimed at helping people affected by drugs, runs nine charity shops and a sorting depot and employs around 95 people, according to court papers reported by TheJournal.ie.
Gardaí from the money laundering investigation unit of the National Economic Crime Bureau searched locations in Dublin and other counties in October, seizing two BMW X5 cars, watches and designer bags. Nobody was arrested. The charity’s bank accounts have been frozen, and the High Court has approved the appointment of liquidators at the request of the Charities Regulator.
The regulator told the court that some conduct by individuals within the charity appeared to be unlawful or carried out for the benefit of an unlawful organisation. Gardaí are examining suspicious transactions, including large international transfers out of line with the charity’s activity, and are focusing on senior personnel.
Crucially, the regulator said there was no evidence that Ó Snodaigh or fellow directors Linda Behan and Brian Behan were involved in, or knew of, any wrongdoing, and the trustees are not under investigation. RTÉ reported the regulator did, however, find little or no effective management or oversight of the charity’s activities. The High Court heard last week that Ó Snodaigh signed off on setting up two related entities that were not charities.
Harris piles on pressure
Tánaiste Simon Harris had led calls for Ó Snodaigh to explain himself, telling reporters it would be “absurd” if he did not address the Dáil, RTÉ reported. Harris said gardaí must be allowed do their job without interference from the Oireachtas, but argued TDs had a duty to protect taxpayers’ money, given the millions in public funding the charity received.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the situation as very concerning and warned of wider consequences for trust in the charity sector.
Sinn Féin defends Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Sinn Féin’s David Cullinane told reporters at Leinster House the party would not be responding to the Tánaiste, and that making a statement was Ó Snodaigh’s right. He stressed that the TD is not under investigation and is available to assist gardaí and the regulator.
Cullinane said his colleague became involved with the charity “for all the right reasons”, according to TheJournal.ie.
Under Dáil standing orders, a TD may make a personal statement if the Ceann Comhairle agrees, but cannot be forced to address a matter unrelated to Dáil business. Whatever Aengus Ó Snodaigh says when he rises in the chamber is likely to be closely watched on all sides of Leinster House.
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Sources: RTÉ News, TheJournal.ie
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