Console founder Paul Kelly yet to furnish resignation letter

Console founder Paul Kelly has not furnished a signed copy of his resignation as chief executive of the suicide prevention charity.

There is concern over whether Mr Kelly continues to control the organisation’s bank accounts and a number of company credit cards.

The two external reviewers appointed to investigate Console say they are considering where protection of the High Court is required in order to protect the charity, its assets and the vital services it provides.

They say their concerns are “of the highest degree imaginable” and they will be taking independent legal advice in this regard.

A statement issued by Console last Thursday stated that Mr Kelly had stepped down as chief executive and that his wife and sister had resigned as directors. This followed revelations about Mr Kelly's past and allegations of mismanagement at the charity made in an RTÉ documentary the same day.

Mr Kelly and his wife Patricia were not in a position to engage on Friday, the day two external reviewers began their investigation of the company’s affairs.

A meeting was to be held with the Kellys on Monday to arrange access to the books and for them to be interviewed by the reviewers.

On Monday, Mr Kelly appeared in the charity's offices in Celbridge, Co Kildare saying he had not resigned and that was continuing to act in the capacity of chief executive officer of the company, according to an interim report by the external reviewers.

The reviewers sought clarification in relation to their legal position and were told by the company that it was satisfied from statements made to them by Mr and Mrs Kelly that they along with Ms McKenna had resigned last Thursday.

They also expressed concern over the control and management of Console’s bank accounts and say they have been given different views on the number and location of these accounts. There are potentially 10 credit cards in existence.