Sinn Féin TD is chairman of charity investigated by gardaí, party says
There is no suggestion of wrongdoing on his behalf and the party said he has not been contacted by gardaí.
A Sinn Féin TD is the chairman of a charity at the centre of a money-laundering investigation, the party has confirmed.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh is the chairman of Dublin-based charity Liberty Recycling, a social enterprise focused on clothes recycling.
There is no suggestion of wrongdoing on his behalf and Sinn Féin said he has not been contacted by gardaí.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, gardaí seized two BMW X5s and luxury goods including Rolex watches and Louis Vuitton bags in a number of searches as part of a probe carried out in consultation with the Charities Regulator.
A Garda spokesperson said: “As part of an ongoing investigation by detectives attached to the money laundering investigation unit at the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, gardaí carried out a number of searches at locations in the Dublin, Eastern and Southern Regions on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“During the course of the searches, gardaí seized two BMW X5 cars with a total estimated value of 250,000 euro and other high-value items including Louis Vuitton bags, Rolex watches and jewellery with a total estimated value of 40,000 euro.
“The investigation, into a Dublin-based charitable organisation, is carried out in conjunction with the office of the Charities Regulator.
“Investigations are ongoing.”
The charity at the centre of the investigation operates out of multiple locations and has a wider management team.
A Sinn Féin spokesperson said: “Sinn Féin has become aware of an ongoing garda investigation, which is taking place in conjunction with the office of the Charities Regulator, into a charity organisation of which Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh is a board member and chair.
“Sinn Féin fully supports any investigation.
“Deputy Ó Snodaigh has engaged with the office of the Charities Regulator.
“He has not been contacted by gardaí, but if required he will make himself available to assist with their inquiries.”
Gardaí did not identify any individuals in the press statement around the investigation.
The Charities Regulator said: “We can confirm that we are engaging with the charity’s trustees.
“As there is an active garda investigation, the Charities Regulator cannot comment further.”