Sinn Féin TD Ó Snodaigh files forgery complaint over High Court letter
Aengus Ó Snodaigh says a letter bearing his apparent signature was submitted to the High Court without his knowledge. The case centres on Liberty Recycling, a Dublin charity under a money-laundering probe.
Forged signature submitted to High Court, Sinn Féin TD says
Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh has formally complained to An Garda Síochána after a letter bearing what he described as an apparent forgery of his signature was submitted to the High Court, limerickleader.ie reports. Ó Snodaigh, who serves as chairman of Dublin charity Liberty Recycling, said he did not sign the document, did not authorise anyone to sign it on his behalf, and was unaware of its existence until after a court hearing.
"I have been shocked to discover that a letter submitted to the High Court bears a signature purporting to be mine," he said in a statement. "I have formally submitted a complaint to An Garda Síochána concerning this apparent forgery and asked that it be fully investigated."
Money-laundering investigation targets charity
Liberty Recycling, a social enterprise based in Dublin focused on clothes recycling, has been the subject of a money-laundering investigation by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau. The probe led to the seizure of luxury goods — including Rolex watches and Louis Vuitton bags — along with two BMW X5s during searches carried out last Tuesday and Wednesday. Goods and vehicles seized are valued at approximately €300,000. The charity's bank account has also been frozen.
The High Court has appointed a provisional liquidator to the organisation. Separately, the Charities Regulator has applied to wind up Liberties Recycling Training and Development Company Ltd, citing an absence of "effective management or oversight of the activities of the charity by its trustees/directors." The regulator said the liquidator's appointment places executive control "immediately into independent hands" to support vulnerable service users and employees during a transitional period.
Dáil statement blocked by Ceann Comhairle
Ó Snodaigh had sought to make a personal statement on the floor of the Dáil regarding his role at the charity, but Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy refused the request. The Oireachtas said standing orders require personal explanations to be "brief, non-argumentative, strictly personal, and shall not be such as would cause debate or give rise to further explanations." Murphy was also, the Oireachtas noted, "cognisant of the fact that airing this matter on the floor of the House risks impinging on a live investigation and raising further questions."
Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris had been among those publicly calling on the TD to address the matter in the Dáil. Ó Snodaigh said his intended statement would have outlined that he had engaged regularly with the Charities Regulator and had met the senior investigating officer of the Garda unit handling the case.
TD accepts governance failings, denies criminal wrongdoing
There is no suggestion of wrongdoing on Ó Snodaigh's part, and he is not under criminal investigation. In his statement, he said he became involved with the charity after witnessing the consequences of addiction firsthand, never received remuneration for his role, and was motivated by a desire to provide employment and training to people affected by addiction.
He nonetheless accepted criticism directed at the charity's trustees and directors, including himself. "Good intentions do not remove the responsibilities of a trustee and chairperson," he said. "I accept my responsibility to answer for my role and co-operate fully with the examination of what happened." He added that there is "no suggestion" that he or the other trustees "were involved in, or aware of, the alleged criminal activity."
Oireachtas committee to scrutinise charity governance
Ó Snodaigh's Sinn Féin colleague John Brady, who chairs the Public Accounts Committee, confirmed that the Charities Regulator and the Department of Social Protection will be invited before the committee to address governance concerns at Liberty Recycling. Brady said other relevant individuals will be called once ongoing investigations have concluded.
High Court proceedings relating to the charity continue in parallel with the Garda investigation.
Source: Irish Independent