Embattled Limerick-based charity Bóthar aims to come back from the brink

LIMERICK-based charity Bóthar says its challenge is to navigate the path with those “who feel let down by past behaviours and create a future that restores confidence and accountability”.

In October, Bóthar successfully made two shipments of 61 in-calf heifers sent to Kosovo. The Leader contacted the charity to ask about this donation but also address the financial scandal of the recent past.

Retired Bóthar CEO David Moloney admitted he and the former chief executive, the late Peter Ireton, misappropriated hundreds of thousands of euro in cash that the charity was led to believe went to nuns who work with the poor in Tanzania.

These payments occurred without the knowledge or consent of the board of Bóthar, the High Court was told in 2021. The court was told three years ago the assessment of the total amount that had been misappropriated from Bóthar was €769,000.

Mr Ireton, who died  in April 2021, had denied any impropriety.

Interim CEO Ailish O’Reilly said Bóthar faced internal governance challenges that tested the charity’s resilience. She said these issues impacted its operations and reputation, but Bóthar responded decisively.

Robust cost-saving measures, enhanced transparency, and new leadership were implemented to rebuild trust and refocus on the charity’s core mission, said Ms O’Reilly.  

“The organisation does not make public comment regarding the ongoing gardai investigation, conscious that individuals in the community have been, or feel, directly impacted. 

“Donor feedback this year suggests that some now believe the time is right to support and help the organisation rebuild and recover. Others are not yet ready, looking for a sense of justice given the severity of the breach of trust that has occurred.

"Bóthar’s challenge is to navigate the path with those who feel let down by past behaviours and create a future that restores confidence and accountability,” said Ms O’Reilly.

Bóthar say recent efforts to streamline operations, including moving to a new headquarters in Castletroy, “enhance transparency and underscore the charity’s commitment to accountability”. They say they have “made significant strides in restoring donor confidence and expanding its outreach”.

As well as Ms O’Reilly being appointed interim CEO, more recently the new board appointed Shane McAuliffe as chairperson, to lead the organisation forward. A well-known farmer and vet from County Kerry, Mr McAuliffe lobbied extensively this year for University of Limerick to be awarded a School of Veterinary Medicine.

Bóthar's mission is to equip families in need with livestock and the necessary training to create sustainable livelihoods.  

In October, Bóthar successfully made two shipments of in-calf heifers to Kosovo. These 61 animals, sent from Roscrea, county Tipperary, and Enniscorthy, county Wexford, were donated by Irish farming families and raised in part through the Irish Prison Service program. 

In Kosovo, Bóthar partners with local NGO Meshqerra to turn subsistence farming into sustainable livelihoods. Through shipments of these in-calf heifers, families gain access to milk, fertiliser, and income. Beneficiaries of last year's shipment are already producing butter; yoghurt and cheese with the excess sold in local markets creating a secondary economy for these families. The “Pass-On” gift has additionally built a chain of generosity, fostering community support and prosperity in Kosovo.

Mr McAuliffe said their supporters come from all walks of life.

“From farming families to businesses, we’re united by a shared belief in the power of generosity. Together, we’re empowering communities, one gift at a time,” he said.

Each spring, the Campbell family (pictured below) in Cappamore contact Bóthar’s office in Limerick to arrange for a calf to be sent to Shelton Abbey, where it is reared for the following year’s autumn shipment. 

Barry Campbell said his father was a supporter of Bóthar. 

“He died on February 19 sixteen years ago. We give a heifer calf born on February 19 to the charity every year so Bóthar goes deeper than you think,” said Mr Campbell.

Bóthar was founded in 1991 thanks to visionaries like TJ Maher, the politician and farmer’s leader from Tipperary, who sought to harness Ireland's agricultural heritage to tackle global food insecurity and inequality. With a deep understanding of both poverty and prosperity, Bóthar was born to empower families worldwide by providing them with the tools to sustain themselves through farming.  

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Bóthar's approach is deeply rooted in Ireland's farming tradition, said Ms O’Reilly.

“Ireland knows the key role of agriculture in our communities. It seemed natural to share that knowledge and experience with those who need it most.”  

This ethos has carried Bóthar’s mission far beyond Ireland's shores, reaching communities in Kosovo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, and other regions. 

Bóthar’s work is built on three interconnected pillars that ensure lasting impact. Families receive hands-on training in animal husbandry, sustainable farming practices, and environmental stewardship. This equips them to care for their livestock and maximize the resources provided while preserving their environment.  

A cow is not just an animal; it provides milk, fertiliser, and income. A goat offers sustenance and economic opportunities. Beekeeping creates renewable sources of honey and wax. Each animal gifted by Bóthar represents a building block for a brighter future.  

Recipients agree to pass on the first female offspring of their animal to another family in need, creating a ripple effect of generosity. This self-sustaining cycle uplifts entire communities.  

This Christmas, Bóthar is inviting everyone to join its journey of recovery and hope by donating  at www.bothar.ie