When Tony O’Brien became chairman of the Peter McVerry Trust six months ago, the charity had been mired in controversy for more than a year. “But I actually think that’s not the case and I think the trust is salvaged already and we’re on a journey to renewal and rehabilitation.”Still, the road to recovery is long. A €15 million rescue package from the Minister for Housing in late 2023 had kept the trust afloat. The trust, established in 1983 by Jesuit priest Fr Peter McVerry, provides housing for 1,900 and prevention, addiction and homelessness services for 12,000. The bottom line is the 2023 accounts come with heavy qualifications from auditors Azets.
