Decision on future of charity Console likely today

A formal decision on the future of the Console suicide prevention charity is expected on Thursday following a board meeting on Wednesday night.

While intentions to wind-up the embattled charity had been signalled last week, the meeting was called to consider a report on its options and the recommendations of interim chief executive David Hall.

Its viability and financial considerations were at the heart of the decision regarding the future of the organisation, mired in controversy since details of its expenditure emerged last month.

Among them, according to an audit conducted by the HSE, was that founder Paul Kelly, his wife Patricia and son Tim, had accrued almost €500,000 in salaries and cars between 2012 and 2014.

The meeting was attended by the charity’s three remaining directors, Mr Hall and the company solicitor.

Speaking beforehand, Mr Hall said: “A discussion has to take place; a decision has to be made based on that report.”

The options appeared to be either its termination or a complete scaling back of its operations.

The HSE had said contingency plans were put in place in the event of its winding-up while yesterday it emerged that up to €20,000 in funding was provided in the past week “to sustain vital services”.

Director general Tony O’Brien said the HSE would not “pull the plug” on funding unless Console indicated it could no longer continue to provide services.

"We have been in discussion with Console about the provision of services. We have continued to fund them," he told RTÉ Radio.

Mr O’Brien’s comments followed revelations that two company cars used by Paul Kelly and his wife Patricia were sold for €23,000.

Cars sold

The vehicles were sold at Wilsons Auctions on the Naas Road on Tuesday evening with a 2009 Mercedes CLS making €11,000 and a 2010 Audi Q5 selling for €12,000. The cars were taken into possession last week.

Mr O’Brien said the HSE did not have regulatory powers over charities but he was satisfied the funding provided in the past week was being used for valuable services.

He rejected a suggestion the HSE was too slow to react to a whistleblower who had raised concerns about the charity and how its funds were being spent.

At no point did HSE funding to Console exceed 43 per cent, he said.

“There has been a very thorough audit...By all accounts the services provided were valued by clients. Our primary concern is about services,” he said.

“We have contingency plans which we will put in place if Console say they can no longer provide them...

“The great tragedy is that the people who volunteered and provided a great service at Console feel they were betrayed.”

On Tuesday, the High Court approved the continuation of orders freezing the charity's assets for a further week.