Disgraced Console boss refuses to give back People of the Year award despite charity scandal

Disgraced former Console chief, Paul Kelly, has refused to return the People of the Year award that he received, despite the investigation into the financial activity at the former suicide prevention charity.

Kelly's spending was investigated through an internal audit of the charity after it was noted that vast sums were being spent on the charity's credit cards on items that had nothing to do with the work going on at Console. In total, there was almost €500,000 spent through the credit cards on personal items such as trips abroad, designer clothes and luxury cars.

Kelly's deception was so good that he was held in the highest esteem by many people across the country, and his efforts with Console were recognised in 2014 when he received the People of the Year award. The scandal surrounding his work at the charity has led to the organisers of the People of the Year event asking for the award back, but they have revealed that Kelly has not even responded.

Organisers from the event released a statement this week in which they outlined their disappointment over the whole scenario. "In July this year, the People of the Year Awards wrote to Mr Paul Kelly formally asking him to return his award voluntarily. As a previous recipient, Mr Kelly is aware of the importance and significance of the awards to the Irish people and of the importance of upholding their integrity. The People of the Year Awards have unfortunately received no response from Mr Kelly at this stage."

The Console charity was wound up following the revelations of the financial misconduct of the Clane resident, and services have been transferred across to other charities.