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Updated 09.53
THE CEO OF Ireland’s charities regulator says Kerry-based animal charity Animal Heaven Animal Rescue (AHAR) must sort out its financial governance or face prosecution.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, John Farrelly said that AHAR “is not holding proper books of account” and must “rectify this contravention”.
“They must appoint someone who is capable of keeping proper books of account,” he said. “If they do not do this we have the powers to issue proceedings against them or bring them to court to prosecute them which could lead to up to a €5,000 fine or imprisonment for 12 months or both.”
Farrelly added that AHAR has 40 days to get its books in order.
We’ll be monitoring that and doing so closely, and we’ll continue to give this charity close scrutiny.
Defence
This morning, AHAR defended its standards of governance after an RTÉ investigation suggested issues with its bookkeeping, fundraising, and financial transparency.
AHAR operates a rescue centre for animals in Castleisland, mostly taking in dogs and horses. The charity was the subject of the investigation shown on last night’s Claire Byrne Live show, which highlighted a number of governance issues.
In a statement, the charity this morning said it “fully supports” proper governance and procedures in charities, and had “already identified failings with committee paperwork in the past”.
We admit having difficulties with former treasurers and committee members who failed to implement the proper procedures, but this has been addressed since 2016.
We are presently working on the recommendations made by the CRA and are confident we can satisfy them all.
The charity added it will be releasing a further statement addressing the specific allegations made against it and “addressing the facts RTÉ deliberately omitted and other inaccuracies contained in the programme”.
Sanctions
AHAR had previously claimed to be a “completely volunteer-run” organisation, but later admitted paying a salary to its founder Suzanne Gibbons.
While there was no indication any money had been misappropriated, analysis of its bank accounts in the RTÉ investigation showed large cash withdrawals and donations of around €1 million over two years. The charity declined to appear on the programme, with its executive saying it was “satisfied” with the accounts, adding the cash withdrawals were because of a lack of chequebook or credit card.
Before last night’s RTÉ programme aired, the CRA said it had told AHAR that it must:
Analysis of AHAR’s bank accounts had shown large cash withdrawals and donations of around €1 million over two years. The charity declined to appear on last night’s programme, with its executive saying it was “satisfied” with the accounts, saying the cash withdrawals were because of a lack of chequebook or credit card.
If the organisation fails to rectify their non-compliance, then proceedings for the offence may be brought against trustees and organisation.
Despite this, Farrelly this morning asserted that the “majority of charities are doing really well” when it comes to self-governance.
“We’re up 280% on the charities that have submitted details for public register,” he said.
Most are getting on board now. Be assured however, we will apply the (Charities) Act, we will be using part four in terms of prosecutions and investigations going forward.
Additional reporting Cianan Brennan
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What a non (I tried another word but it was perceived as toxic) story, half the country has been locked down even more so in the industries that sustain casualties. Almost as daft as the commentary about record recessions when the government shut down the country, shock horror & then the hype about record growth year on year when the government opened the economy back up & allowed folk to go back to making a crust, someone must have a blank page that need filling.
@Joe Thorpe: I accept your point. It is worth noting though that the Trump administration suppressed the reporting of work related death statistics, which had been required under the Obama administration. We could have a government that does something similar and thankfully we don’t. So I’m fine with having the statistics reported, even if it is an artificial low.
@David A. Murray: Well done you’ve somehow managed to bash trump in this news article it’s 2022 now come on just get over trump.
@Joe Thorpe: you obviously had a blank page that needed filling. Blank head too methinks.
@Joe Thorpe: there is no 2 ways about it sites are becoming safer and people are more self aware not to take risks. Regardless of lockdowns or not there’s people going home to their families who a few years ago would possibly lost their live doing the same job. 1 less life lost Regardless how is a result
The chances taken by small building contractors is directly contributing to these deaths especially the fall from height deaths. Two houses being built near me at the moment and both by two different contractors are disgraceful. The Scaffolding in particular…no hand rails, toe boards, access ladders, most sections only have one or two planks on them. Two scary things about it, 1 how the HSA let them get away with it, 2 how the contractors seem to just not care about their employees or even themselves.
@Ronan: Most of the lads at it have worked in the industry for years and with way less safety back then when they first started than now they’re probably so used to it they don’t see the danger.
@Ronan: are the HSA aware
@Ronan: those curtains must get awful greasy with your paws constantly twitching at them. If you’re so concerned why don’t you 1. Go and lend your massive scaffolding know how and a hand fixing it. 2. Stop making comments on a news article and go do something about it. Why make an effort when you can complain and say I told you so!
It’s because there are simply not enough HSA audits being carried out. I have worked on construction sites here for 35 years and only seen the HSA on two sites and on both occasions we were tipped off that they would be arriving. They were both on big site where generally safety would be better. It’s the small builder say building a few houses or maybe a small block of apartments that are a disgrace when it comes to health and safety. They should be getting regular unannounced audits from the HSA and this would focus them to run the sites better. Obviously down to lack of recourses and the builders know this.
Mostly due to lockdown but the HSA will be convinced that it’s due to their sill y over the top rules and regulations working as intended
@Quiet Goer: construction wasn’t loved down this year. March 2020 when it locked down
@Shaun Gallagher: it was actually last Christmas was extended to February. Unless it was council or 6 weeks from completion.
Half my team could be dead and I wouldn’t even know anymore with WFH, for all I know I could be talking to their kids over the keyboard.
have your say