Dealing with the Death of a Charity by Joanne McInerney Solicitor & Notary Public

The Irish Times March 2012

Like all bereavements, the end of a charity?s life can be a distressing and complicated time, not least because of the legal pitfalls and governance issues surrounding same.

With the onslaught of the economic recession in Ireland, many charities experiencing a drought in their financial resources and income generating activities have had to deal with the winding up of their charities. The death of a charity can leave donors, beneficiaries, directors and trustees alike reeling in the aftermath with the accountability and governance post-mortem that is bound to be carried out.

The directors or trustees of a charity which has become insolvent or bankrupt today face increasing obligations and responsibilities to make sure that all measures have been correctly adopted to ensure that the members … Read More »

A farmer who ran over an elderly German tourist with his 1980- registered tractor at one of the country’s best-known tourist spots was fined €1,250 yesterday.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Gerald Keys said that banning John Boyce (57), Moyhill, Cratloe, Co Clare, a father of two, from driving would be akin to taking tools from a tradesman.

At the court earlier last month, a jury unanimously found Boyce guilty of careless driving relating to the fatal crash of his Massey Ferguson tractor into Inge Schmidt (76) at a pedestrian crossing at Low Road, Bunratty, on October 29th, 2010.

Boyce was tried on the charge of dangerous driving causing the death of Ms Schmidt but the jury unanimously cleared him of that.

At the sentencing hearing yesterday, Judge Keys said there were a number of aggravating factors.

These included the condition of Boyce’s tractor, in … Read More »