Garda confirms it is investigating employee of Dublin homelessness charity

An Garda Síochána has confirmed it is investigating an employee of a high-profile homelessness charity, who has been suspended from work with the organisation.

The Charities Regulator also said it had been notified of the issue at Inner City Helping Homeless (ICHH), which was established in 2013.

David Hall, the charity’s chairman, wrote to employees and volunteers associated with ICHH on Thursday night confirming that “serious matters” had come to the board’s attention and that an investigation had been initiated, with an employee suspended in the interim.

In a statement, a Garda spokesman said the force was “currently carrying out investigations into allegations against an employee at a charity”. No arrests have been made, but it is understood the individual has been interviewed.

The regulator said it could confirm “that it recently received a communication from the registered charity known as Inner City Helping Homeless, on a matter which has been raised with An Garda Síochána”.

“As the matter is ongoing, we have no further comment to make at this time.”

ICHH told staff and volunteers that it had put in place “measures to ensure that our reputation is protected during this period”.

“The board is mindful of the vital role that you, our staff and our team of volunteers play in the daily lives of those sleeping rough in Dublin. We are grateful to you and our wider network of supporters,” it said.

Appreciated

Staff and volunteers were told that while it is appreciated “how difficult and unwelcome this sudden situation is”, the board will “continue to take whatever steps are necessary at this time to protect and enhance the invaluable work of the organisation and the welfare of all service users”.

“We will continue to keep you updated and [are] available should any of you wish to contact us. This is a difficult situation for everyone and I assure you, I as chairperson, supported by the full board, will do everything to protect the brilliant and vital work you do.”

ICHH focuses on outreach programmes for homeless people in Dublin’s inner city and has offices on Amiens Street in Dublin 1. According to its most recently filed accounts, more than 200 volunteers work with the charity, which was established “as a result of the increased number of people sleeping rough around Dublin city”.

At the end of 2019, it had a surplus of €85,600 and assets of €308,610. In 2019, the charity recorded income of €466,293, up from €353,574, with expenditure coming in at €380,693. It had cash and cash equivalents totalling €246,762 on its balance sheet at the end of the year. Turnover for the year is “made up entirely of donations”, according to the accounts.