Ireland SF TD named as chair of charity under money laundering investigation
Liberty Recycling Ltd, a Dublin-based charity running a clothes recycling initiative for people affected by drugs, is under investigation by gardaí and the Charities Regulator over suspected money laundering. Searches at locations in Dublin, the Eastern and Southern Regions on Tuesday and Wednesday, reported on 22 October 2026, led to the seizure of two BMW X5 cars valued at about €250,000 and designer goods and jewellery worth about €40,000. Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh is the charity's chairman, and sources say there is no suggestion he is under investigation; he has not been contacted by gardaí. On 23 October 2026 gardaí searched an accountant's office for financial records, and no arrests or charges have been reported, though the Irish Times understands arrests are expected in the next phase.
- Reported22 Oct
4 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Liberty Recycling Ltd, a Dublin-based charity, is under investigation by gardaí and the Charities Regulator for suspected money laundering.
- The charity runs a clothes recycling initiative to provide employment and training to local people affected by drugs.
- Other details
- Aengus Ó Snodaigh, a Sinn Féin TD, is chairman of the charity; sources say there is no suggestion he is under investigation.
- The charity's most recent financial records suggest its income and expenditure reached €5 million in 2024.
- Cause
- Gardaí are investigating whether money meant to fund the charity's services was misappropriated, with some expenditure suspected of amounting to money laundering.
- Where
- Searches were carried out at locations in the Dublin, Eastern and Southern Regions.
- When
- The searches took place on Tuesday and Wednesday, as reported on 22 October 2026.
- Investigation
- Detectives from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau's Money Laundering Investigation Unit are carrying out the investigation with the Charities Regulator.
- Gardaí seized two BMW X5 cars with a total estimated value of €250,000.
- Gardaí seized Louis Vuitton bags, Rolex watches and jewellery with a total estimated value of €40,000.
- Gardaí searched an accountant's office on 23 October 2026 to secure financial records.
- Sources say the inquiry is still at the stage of probing allegations and gathering evidence, with no findings reached and a very small number of people under suspicion.
- Ó Snodaigh has engaged with the Charities Regulator and has not been contacted by gardaí, but says he will assist if required.
- Charges
- No arrests or charges have been reported, and the Irish Times understands arrests are expected in the next phase of the investigation.
33 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAengus Ó Snodaigh is the chairman of Liberty Recycling Ltd (rte.ie)
- whatThe charity is suspected of laundering the proceeds of donations for private gain (rte.ie)
- whatThe charity operates a clothes recycling initiative to provide employment and training to local people affected by drugs (rte.ie)
- whereThe charity has shops in several counties around the country (rte.ie)
- whereThe searches took place at locations in the Dublin, Eastern and Southern Regions. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereGardaí carried out searches at locations in the Dublin, Eastern and Southern Regions. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe seizures took place during searches in Dublin, the east and southeast on Tuesday and Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe searches were carried out on Tuesday and Wednesday. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe searches took place on Tuesday and Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
- causeGardaí are investigating whether money intended to fund the charity’s services has been misappropriated. (irishtimes.com)
- causeSome of the charity’s expenditure is under investigation on suspicion that it effectively amounts to money laundering. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe assets were confiscated on suspicion their purchase was funded with money that should have been spent on the charity's core activities. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe charity is under investigation by gardaí and the Charities Regulator for money laundering (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí seized two BMW X5 cars worth around €250,000 (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí seized luxury goods including Louis Vuitton bags, Rolex watches and jewellery with a total estimated value of €40,000 (rte.ie)
- investigationThe garda investigation has been ongoing for some time and is continuing (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí seized two BMW X5 cars with a total estimated value of €250,000. (dublinlive.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí also seized Louis Vuitton bags, Rolex watches, and jewellery with a total estimated value of €40,000. (dublinlive.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe investigation is into a Dublin-based charitable organisation. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe investigation is carried out in conjunction with the office of the Charities Regulator. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe investigations are ongoing. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe investigation is being carried out by detectives from the Money Laundering Investigation Unit at the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationSources say the inquiry is still at the stage of probing allegations and gathering evidence, with no findings reached. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe Charities Regulator is assisting with the Garda investigation and is engaging with the charity’s trustees. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí searched an accountant's office as part of an investigation into alleged money laundering at Liberty Recycling. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe investigation is expected to involve arrests in its next phase. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationDetectives from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau are reviewing the charity's records of funds raised and outgoing money. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationSources said a very small number of people were under suspicion. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe economic crime bureau's money laundering investigation unit is carrying out the investigation, which also involves the Charities Regulator. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe Garda confirmed the investigation centres on a Dublin-based charitable organisation. (irishtimes.com)
- otherTwo BMW X5 SUVs valued at €250,000 and designer goods worth €40,000 were seized. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe seized items included Louis Vuitton bags, Rolex watches and jewellery. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe charity is chaired by Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh, though there is no suggestion he is under investigation. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 23 Oct2026Accountant’s office searched as gardaí investigate alleged money laundering at charity
Details the search of an accountant's office, the seizure of two BMW X5 SUVs (€250,000) and designer goods including Louis Vuitton bags, Rolex watches and jewellery (€40,000) in Dublin, the east and southeast, the involvement of the Charities Regulator, and that arrests are expected in the next phase.
- 22 Oct2026BMWs, Louis Vuitton bags, Rolex watches seized amid charity money-laundering allegations
Details of the searches and seizures carried out on Tuesday and Wednesday, including the specific assets taken (two BMW X5s, Louis Vuitton bags, Rolex watches, jewellery), the scope of the investigation across Dublin, Eastern and Southern Regions, and confirmation that no findings have been reached.
- 22 Oct2026Cars and jewellery seized as part of Dublin charity money laundering probe
Reports the specific items seized during the 21–22 October searches: two BMW X5 cars (€250,000) and Louis Vuitton bags, Rolex watches, and jewellery (€40,000).
- 22 Oct2026SF TD is chair of charity probed over money laundering
Reveals that Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh is the chair of the charity under investigation; details of seized items including two BMW X5s and luxury goods; confirms the investigation is ongoing and that Ó Snodaigh has not yet been contacted by gardaí.
suspect, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, male, named, irish (judged from name)Aengus Ó Snodaigh