Garda secure prosecution against criminal in Kildare who was part of nationwide charity scam

A criminal gang that has been acting under the guise of a well known Irish charity is the subject of a Garda investigation as they seek to clamp down on the fraudulent dealings of a particular criminal family.

The investigation centres around a family that have targeted the charity Suicide Aware, as they have sent dozens of people out to collect money on behalf of the charity while pocketing the proceeds themselves.

The gang have issued these people with bogus ID cards and collection buckets that carry the logo, which has resulted in the pocketing of hundreds of euro nationwide each day according to the Mail on Sunday.

There have been prosecutions made against some of the culprits in Kildare and Cork, but Gardaí are keen to clamp down on the scam even further.

The charity is prominently backed by chat show host Graham Norton, while former Irish rugby player Mick O'Driscoll and Fianna Fáil councillor for Cork Daithí O'Donnabhain are on the board of directors at the charity.

A statement released by the association today outlined their disdain at the scam.

"Suicide Aware continues to fully cooperate with the gardaí in this matter to ensure that any illegal collections do not occur in the future," read the statement.

"We are saddened, and disheartened, that any individual would betray or misuse Suicide Aware, or any other charity, for their own purpose and we would ask the public to... report any unauthorised collection for Suicide Aware or any other charity to the gardaí. We welcome this opportunity to thank the public for their support and would ask them to continue to be vigilant for illegal collections."

Gardaíare continuing to investigate the criminal operation.