Séamus ­McEnaney and 14 family members have been paid over £200million for housing refugees

The former Monaghan GAA manager has been paid huge amounts of money for housing refugees in Ireland

Séamus ‘Banty’ ­McEnaney and 14 of his family members have reportedly received over £200million for providing housing to asylum seekers and Ukrainian refugees, according to new figures.

The ex-Monaghan GAA manager is one of the top earners from the direct provision system under the Department of Justice, and has been for several years.

Data on payments from the Department of Justice and the Department of Children, published by Extra.ie on Saturday, reveals that Millstreet Equestrian Services, a company previously involved in organising showjumping events in Cork, has been paid £89 million to offer temporary accommodation for refugees.

Between 2012 and 2025, McEnaney and his family’s various companies were paid substantial sums.

Oakgate Limited, founded in April 2022 with Mr McEnaney’s sisters Bernadette Walsh and Margaret McCarville as directors, has received a total of £14.2 million, reports the Irish Mirror.

Margaret McCarville is also the sole shareholder of JMA Ventures Limited, which has been granted £30.4 million.

Corduff JG Enterprises Limited, where Mr McEnaney’s son Gavin is the only director and shareholder, has received £12.7 million.

Copperwhistle Limited, directed by Frank McEnaney, Séamus’s brother, along with Frank’s wife Mary and his son Cahal, has been granted £1.4 million.

Extra.ie reports that Séamus McEnaney declined to comment on the figures when they approached him for comment.

McEnaney has enjoyed two stints as boss (2004-2010 and 2019-2022) of his home county Monaghan, guiding them to the National Football League Division 2 crown in 2005 and steering them to their first Ulster championship final in 19 years back in 2007.

During his second tenure in charge, they also made it to the provincial showpiece in 2021, having captured Ulster titles under Malachy O’Rourke in both 2013 and 2015.

McEnaney stood down as Monaghan boss in June 2022 after the county’s All-Ireland qualifier defeat to Mayo.

He said in a statement at the time: “The Monaghan players are a very special bunch of men who have been fantastic ambassadors for the people of Monaghan in the past and during my term as manager.

“I have no doubt that they will continue to represent this great county with pride and distinction into the future.”

McEnaney also took charge of Meath from 2010 to 2012 and Wexford from 2016 to 2017.