The Irish Independent is reporting that proceeds from the sale of a derelict property in Hacketstown in Co. Carlow will see €99,000 going to Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland.
The property was sold, along with the surrounding 1.09 acres of land, to a couple with an address in Dublin 18 on December 12 last.
The property was formerly owned by William “Billy” Hampton, a market trader and reclusive English millionaire, who passed away in Wales in 2018.
Mr. Hampton is believed to have made his will while living a nomadic lifestyle in Co. Cavan in 1997, and according to the BBC, was frustrated by his inability to access his inheritance in a single lump sum.
Mr. Hampton’s decision to leave considerable parts of his inheritance to Sinn Fein has been characterised as an effort to spite the British government.
The executor of the Hacketstown property, known locally as “Des Neale’s cottage”, had previously been in contact with Carlow County Council, with a view to selling the property to the council, however, the property was not deemed to be suitable.
Speaking to KCLR News, Cllr. Brian O’Donoghue questioned the sale.
“Is it right that a political party would look to profit off the sale of a house to a local authority in the midst of a housing crisis? I don’t think that’s particularly the right way to go.”
Cllr. O’ Donoghue clarified that “in saying that, there’s no question of anything illegal here”, noting that Sinn Fein was within its rights to receive funds in Northern Ireland from the sale of the property.
However, he then noted that “its just a little bit rich then to talk about the housing crisis so often, and talk about dereliction, and point the finger constantly at the government, which they’re perfectly entitled to do so, but then to be sitting on this property for the best part of 10 years, and now when they go to move it, to send that money out of the republic, there’s a moral question there.”
