‘ Charity shop’ and ‘ soup kitchen’ closed after operational concerns

A so called charity shop along with a ‘ soup kitchen’ which feeds 40 people a day has been ordred shut by Judge Kevin Kilrane at Sligo District Court which heard they hadn’t been registered as a charity.

The Charities Regulatory Authority brought 16 summonsesin the first case of its kind, against Oliver Williams ( below) the operator of the Twist Soup Kitchen on High Street ( right) and a Twist charity clothes shop at Quay Street.

The court heard that the shops had a bank account but there was no money in it and Mr Donal Keane BL ( for the authority) said there “was no oversight relating to cash.”

He said there was no receipt system in place at the shop with “cash going into a drawer.”

Last October Mr Williams was sent a letter from the authority telling him to cease operating but he continued and had furnished any documentation regarding a application to register as a charity.

Mr Keane said Mr Williams could not register and continue to operate an illegal charity.

“We have no doubt but this is not a registered charity but it is operating as though it is,” said Mr Keane.

When the case was called initially Mr Tom MacSharry solicitor, ( defending) sought an adjournment saying he only got instructions the day before the court and only saw the summonses before the court began. There were also issues with disclosure and he wished to have a consultation with his client.

Mr Keane said the shop and soup kitchen remained open and effectively further offences were being committed on a daily basis.

He said members of the public were handing over money but the enterprises were in fact not registered as charities with “no regulation or oversight applying.”

Judge Kevin Kilrane said he would only adjourn the case on condition that the premises be closed forthwith.

Mr MacSharry pleaded that the defendant had made efforts to register as a charity. The soup kitchen fed 40 people a day. The income from the charity shop where people donated clothes to be sold kept the soup kitchen going.

“This soup kitchen is a very necessary part of the fabric of Sligo at present,” said Mr MacSharry.

Judge Kilrane said he would like to know what system of receipting was in place for people who gave gifts and money and from there to the bank.

“Can he give me comfort on that?” asked Judge Kilrane.

Mr Keane acknowledged that an application to register as a charity had been received and the defendant was sent information to go about doing this but as yet the authority had received no financial information from him.

Mr Williams told the court the he operated the shop and soup kitchen “on a shoestring.”

He was asked by Judge Kilrane that if he were to walk in with € 50 in cash to the shop would be get a receipt.

Mr Williams replied that they don’t receive cash donations nor does he solicit them.

“We have a bank account but no money has gone through it for the past two years,” he said.

Receipts were also issued for bigger items like furniture in case any issues arose.

It was a cash business and the shop made between € 200 and € 250 a week. The weekly rent on both places was € 100 each. There was never an excess. Asked why not shut them so by the Judge, Williams replied that he would like to but that “unfortunately the people of Sligo need it.”

He said he hadn’t an imput into the soup kitchen or shop for the past two years. A woman operated the shop and keep the books in relation to income and outgoings.

“My concern is to keep that ( soup kitchen) open for the people that need it,” he said.

Mr Williams again stressed there was nothing in the bank account.

“It really is a shoestring operation. It’s a vital service and I see people around the court here today who use it,” said Mr Williams.

Judge Kilrane said that the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul would no doubt step in, in the meantime to fill the gap.”

The Judge said a lot had been learned regarding charity regulation in the recent past and nothing but absolute oversight was acceptable.

What he had heard was completely and utterly against the trend we have to accept.

He said that it was with reluctance he was ordering the premises to close.

Mr Keane said the authority was anxious to deal with the matter as quickly as possible.

Judge Kilrane ordered that the premises be closed and that whatever cash existed was to be recorded properly and lodged to the bank account of solicitor Mr MacSharry. The case was adjourned to Thursday.