SPENDING CLAIMS

Peter McVerry Trust probed over alleged mismanagement of up to €40m in donations

Another case highlighted was that of Cork electrician Owen Collins who stole €27k from the animal charity he himself founded

HOMELESS charity the Peter McVerry Trust is being probed by officials over claims around the mismanagement of up to €40million in donations.

The new details emerged via RTE’s Prime Time, which obtained documents from inside the organisation.

The files indicate that over six years up to €40 million in restricted donations – designated for specific purposes – were used by the Peter McVerry Trust to cover debts or other spending.

In one case, the programme revealed, €1.3 million donated by Capuchins was used to pay running costs and debts.

Jillian van Turnhout, a Chartered Director Certified in Corporate Governance, said: “This was a betrayal of trust.

“The Capuchins had given the money for a very specific purpose.”The Peter McVerry Trust declined to comment on questions from Prime Time but stated it continues to cooperate with regulatory investigations and remains committed to supporting approximately 3,000 individuals, families, and children weekly.

Tonight’s programme hears claims that this was one in a number of failures by the Charities Regulator to fully manage its work.

Another case highlighted was that of Cork electrician Owen Collins who stole €27k from the animal charity he himself founded.The 32-year-old electrician was judged solely responsible for the theft from the charity, which was later wound up despite the hard work and dedication of other volunteers.Mr Collins later admitted he had taken the money to help feed his gambling addiction.

Last July, the Peter McVerry Trust wrote to the AHBRA to notify it of significant “cashflow pressures”.

Last September, the regulator appointed inspectors to carry out a statutory investigation into the charity.

In October, the organisation’s chief executive Francis Doherty resigned.’Transparency and accountability’

Mr Doherty had taken over from Pat Doyle, who was at the organisation for almost 19 years, last June.

A spokeswoman for the charity previously said: “We can confirm that we received notice this afternoon of a decision by AHBRA to appoint inspectors to the charity.

“This is an important part of transparency and accountability for our organisation, and we will work with the inspectors and AHBRA in the best interest of the over 2,000 service users and tenants as well as the staff that support them.”