# O'Reilly's charitable donations queried

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2007/06/18/o039reilly039s-charitable-donations-queried/
- Published: 2007-06-18T23:00:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Charitable donations made by Independent News & Media have become embroiled in a
dispute between that company’s chief executive, Tony O’Reilly, and fellow billionaire,
Dennis O’Brien. Newspaper reports suggest that Mr O’Brien is in a battle to take
over the company, in which the O’Reilly family has a significant holding. 
Mr O’Brien
sent a letter to IN&M asking for details of the company’s charitable donations made
in the name of Mr O’Reilly and his family in the last five years. The company replied
that donations were not made to colleges UCD, TCD or DCU, which have received major
gifts in the O’Reilly name, but confirmed that £1 million from the company has been
pledged annually for Queen’s University’s O’Reilly library from 2007 to 2010.

The company also disclosed that the average annual worldwide donations by the company
in the last five years is ‚€700,000. Mr O’Brien, who has built up a significant 
stake in IN&M, has sent a number of letters questioning the governance of the company.

Mr O’Brien also has a major philanthropic profile, having chaired the Irish Special
Olympics board and provided funding for the establishment of a human rights body.

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