Sinn Féin has confirmed that Dublin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh is the chair of a charity being investigated by gardaí and the Charities Regulator over suspected money laundering.
The party said it supports the ongoing investigations and confirmed that Ó Snodaigh has engaged with the office of the Charities Regulator.
In a statement, Sinn Féin said the TD has not been contacted by gardaí but would make himself available to assist with their inquiries if required.
Ó Snodaigh is the chair of Liberty Recycling Ltd, a charity involved in recycling clothes and other goods. Its website describes the organisation as an initiative that provides employment and training to local people affected by drugs.
“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,” the party said.
It added: “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.”
Detectives from the Garda money laundering unit carried out a series of raids on the charity's premises in Dublin and in the east and southeast of the country earlier this week.
The organisation, which operates shops in several counties, is suspected of laundering the proceeds of donations for private gain.
During the searches, gardaí seized two BMW X5 cars valued at around €250,000, along with luxury goods including Louis Vuitton bags, Rolex watches and jewellery estimated to be worth a total of €40,000.
The investigation is being conducted in conjunction with the Charities Regulator, which is understood to have alerted gardaí to suspected discrepancies in the company's charitable activities.
A spokesperson for the regulator said its office was engaging with the charity's trustees but declined to comment when asked why the organisation remains on the register of charities.
The regulator's role is to promote and support compliance with charity law, which sets out the requirements organisations must meet to qualify for registration.
Registered charities must operate exclusively for recognised charitable purposes and provide a public benefit rather than a private one.
The investigation into suspected money laundering at the Dublin-based charity has been ongoing for some time and remains active.
