Peter McVerry Trust Allocates Funds for Peacock Enclosure at Newly Acquired Period Property

The Peter McVerry Trust is facing severe financial challenges, with fundraising projections collapsing dramatically in recent years. A report presented to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) indicated that fundraising dropped from €15 million in 2022 to around €2 million for 2025, with an extremely conservative estimate of only €500,000 expected for the upcoming year. This financial downturn has raised significant concern among politicians and stakeholders.

Financial Mismanagement and Controversies Surrounding the Trust

Tony O’Brien, the current chairperson of the Peter McVerry Trust, described the organization as historically plagued by conflicts of interest. The PAC meeting revealed troubling expenditures, including funds allocated for a peacock enclosure at a newly acquired period property located in County Kildare.

Expenditures and Property Concerns

Francis Doherty, former chief executive of the Trust, disclosed that significant costs were incurred at Kerdiffstown House, which included:

• €300,000 spent on resurfacing and widening the driveway.
• Construction of an unauthorized lift shaft, intended to separate access for staff and service users from the main kitchen.
• Payment of over €300,000 to Rubycon, the charity’s primary contractor, to remedy defects in properties bought in 2018, which did not meet building regulations.

Mr. Doherty pointed out that there was no planning or engineering oversight for the lift, and the property became emblematic of serious mismanagement within the Trust.

Conflicts of Interest Highlighted

Additionally, serious conflicts of interest were raised concerning the Trust’s long-term auditor, who was related to the owner of Rubycon. This relationship led to millions being expended on various contract works over multiple years. In a controversial purchase in 2018, properties sold to the Trust were bought at €975,000 despite having substantial defects.

Leadership Issues and Regulatory Scrutiny

Mr. Doherty, who led the Trust briefly from June to October 2023, succeeded Pat Doyle, who held the position for 18 years. During this transition, Mr. Doherty alleged that a €350,000 payment to New Directions, a private counseling service, was misappropriated to ensure funding for Mr. Doyle’s future salary.

The PAC has requested further testimonies from the former board members and Mr. Doyle to examine the concerning practices and explore the findings of recent reports issued by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Government Response

In light of the Trust’s financial struggles, the government had allocated €15 million at the end of 2023 to stabilize its operations after years of underperformance in securing appropriate housing contracts. The ongoing criticisms regarding its governance and financial controls have prompted calls for a more austere approach to managing funds generated by the charity.

As the situation evolves, it remains crucial for the Peter McVerry Trust to address these issues effectively to restore credibility and continue providing essential services to vulnerable populations.