The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) has suspended two of its workers in Dundalk after a number of allegations were made against them.

A spokesman for SVP confirmed last night that allegations of bullying and harassment have been made against the two individuals and that other claims against them are also being investigated.

It is understood that the individuals who have been suspended are male and the person who was the victim of the alleged harassment was female. One of the men worked as a volunteer at the charity's thrift shop on Jocelyn Street in Dundalk and the other man was a staff member there.

A spokesman for the charity said the two men had been suspended pending an investigation.

The SVP thrift shop in Dundalk has approximately 20 staff including a mixture of volunteers and people working on the Fás community employment scheme. The allegations were made by a number of people who work at the charity's thrift shop in the town.

These are being investigated and relevant agencies are being informed, according to the spokesman.

"A complaint was made about two people associated with the SVP thrift shop in Dundalk," the spokesman said.

"These allegations are being investigated under the society's strict code of practice and the relevant authorities have been notified.

"In order not to compromise the investigation no further statement will be issued until the investigation has been concluded," he added.