Gardaí have recovered gold bars worth an estimated €400,000 amid claims it had been stolen from a vault belonging to the National Party.
Justin Barrett, the right wing party’s leader, contacted An Garda Síochána alleging that gold was stolen from the vault and that two members of the party had been expelled.
In a post on social media, he said that a “considerable quantity” of gold, which “formed the main party’s reserves”, had been taken. He said the current location of the gold was a matter of “speculation”.
The Irish Times has learned, however, that investigating officers have recovered the gold and that it has been valued at €400,000.
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It is understood that officers contacted the individuals whom Mr Barrett claimed took the gold from the party vault and it was then handed over. Gardaí are now seeking to establish who is the legal owner of the gold and will examine legislation and, if possible, documentation.
It is understood that a criminal investigation has not yet been opened into the matter and that gardaí are trying to establish if any crime has been committed.
A Garda spokesman confirmed that enquiries into “an allegation of theft from a premises in Dublin 4″ were under way.
“An Garda Síochána does not comment on third party statements. An Garda Síochána does not comment on named individuals,” he added.
Mr Barrett said the gold “formed the main part of the party’s reserves in case of a mishap in general or, more particularly, a collapse in the value of fiat currency”. Fiat money is a currency that is decreed and backed by the Government.
He said that “a different account of events may appear” in the media, adding “what claims will be made, I can only guess”.
The party, which has no sitting TDs or senators, did not respond to requests for comment on Monday.
According to a 2021 statement of accounts for political parties, compiled by the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo), the National Party, as of late last year, had not furnished a statement of accounts for 2020, which is a contravention of the Electoral Act.
Sipo did not respond to questions around what action had been taken since then, given the contravention, or whether details of the National Party’s accounts have been lodged in the last number of months.
Separately, The National Party declared no donations for 2021 and just €2,500 in 2020 and €7,500 in 2019.
