Irish charity Liberty Recycling under laundering investigation; bank accounts frozen
Irish police are investigating suspected laundering through Liberty Recycling. Reports on court documents describe frozen accounts and the seizure of luxury vehicles and goods.
Liberty Recycling, an Irish charity, is at the centre of an investigation by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau’s money-laundering unit. On 29 October, The Irish Times and The Journal reported on court documents in which the charities regulator raised concerns over substantial international transfers allegedly inconsistent with the organisation’s activity. According to those documents, investigators are examining senior personnel and suspected criminal proceeds passing through its accounts.
Searches on 20 October resulted in the seizure of two BMW X5 vehicles, watches and designer handbags. Computers and documents are being examined, and bank accounts have been frozen. The High Court has appointed provisional liquidators. Liberty Recycling collects clothing and textiles and provides employment and training for people recovering from drug addiction. The regulator says there is no evidence that the trustees, including chairperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh, participated in or knew of the suspected wrongdoing.
