An employee of Good People – a Healthcare provider and recruitment company with premises on Armagh’s Barrack Street and Markethill’s Main Street – was convicted earlier this year of forgery and falsifying Garda vetting paperwork as questions continue to mount about the legitimacy of their Markethill site.
According to a recent report by The Irish Times, a relative of the CEO Gerard Chimbganda – an evangelical pastor and businessman who originally hails from Zimbabwe – is at the centre of the controversy engulfing the Irish-based company.
The report states that the employee was charged with 110 counts of forgery as well as falsification of Garda vetting disclosures for staff who were tasked with caring for children under State care.
The 22-year-old woman was convicted in Trim Circuit Court in May and was given an 18-month suspended sentence.
Minana International – which trades under GoodPeople – was also awarded a public contract worth an estimated €6 million late last year, to carry out “vulnerability assessments” for asylum seekers, according to The Irish Times.
In October 2024 GoodPeople became the source of heated speculation when the Markethill community raised questions about people seemingly being “moved into” the then vacant Hebron House premises, with some asserting that the building was being used to “house illegal immigrants”.
However, Pastor Chimbganda arranged a public meeting – with local councillors in attendance – as an attempt to allay concerns in October.
Related: ‘We have nothing to hide’: Pastor allays concerns on reopening of Hebron House in Markethill
Speaking to those present, the Pastor confirmed that the facility would not be used to house migrants and that it was purely for care provision.
A key concern for many was that jobs at the facility would not be available for people from Markethill. However, Pastor Chimbganda assured those present that local people would be employed.
He said there was a “need” in the area for such a service, explaining that he wanted to reopen the previous service under new management and was finalising RQIA registration. He also stated that he hoped ten staff would be initially employed.
Alderman Paul Berry attended the meeting describing it as “forthright” and “heated”, but afterwards added: “I would stress that there will be no provision opened in this centre until Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) and the Southern Health Trust say that they meet that requirement and the building is fit for purpose.
“That’s something that I will continue to make representations on.”
And the Alderman has stayed true to his word.
Speaking to Armagh I, he explained: “My understanding on it is they are still requiring an approval certificate from RQIA.”
Upon receiving yet more concerns from the public, the Independent councillor requested a viewing of the property and was granted the opportunity last week.
He added: “I spoke to the police and had been in correspondence with RQIA and also contacted the company about people living in the property.
“I then asked if I could get a viewing of the building. I went over one day last week and the Deputy Manager of the facility met me and showed me around the building and I got a look through it extensively and then updated police in relation to my viewing.
“I didn’t see evidence of anyone living in it at that time but there were four people eating their lunch out the back and they had been mopping floors and fixing furniture etc.
“The story I was told was that it was going to be opened as a facility for people with learning disabilities and that is the story that is being told to us still.”
The company’s Barrack Street address operates as the ‘Staffing Solutions’ branch of GoodPeople. However, the building – which sits adjacent to Armagh I‘s office – has displayed no signs of life for the best part of a year now.
Armagh I have contacted GoodPeople for comment.
