SF TD is chair of charity probed over money laundering

Dublin charity under garda investigation still on regulator's register

Updated / Thursday, 22 Oct 2026 13:25

A charity at the centre of a money laundering investigation remains on the register of the Charities Regulator.

Detectives from the garda's 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 charity, which is involved in recycling clothes and other goods, is suspected of laundering the proceeds of donations for private gain.

It has shops in several counties around the country.

Gardaí seized two BMW X5 cars worth around €250,000 along with luxury goods including Louis Vuitton bags, Rolex watches and jewellery with a total estimated value of €40,000.

The gardaí said the investigation is being carried out in conjunction with the office of the Charities Regulator.

It is understood the regulator alerted the gardaí to suspected discrepancies in the company’s charitable activities.

A spokesperson for the regulator declined to respond today when asked why the charity, which is at the centre of a major garda money laundering investigation, remains on the charities register.

The spokesperson said the regulator’s office was engaging with the trustees.

At present, there are a number of people on the board listed on the Charity Regulator's website.

The regulator said its role is to promote and support compliance with charity law.

Charity law sets out the requirements an organisation must meet to be registered as a charity.

For example, a charity cannot be an excluded body such as a trade union, sporting organisation or political party.

It has to follow a charitable purpose only, one that is recognised under law and provide a public, not a private benefit.

The garda investigation into suspected money laundering at the Dublin-based charity, which has a nationwide reach, has been ongoing for some time and is continuing.