Disgraced Console chief being investigated over use of charity's credit cards

Paul Kelly, the now former chief of the charity Console, is currently under investigation following the revelations made by a Prime Time investigates show on RTÉ this week.

The Celbridge man, who set up the charity in 2002 following the death of his sister, stepped down in the immediate aftermath of the documentary that outlined how the charity's financial accounts showed irregularities, while there were also discrepancies found when listing the board members of the organisation.

Today the Sunday Independent are reporting that the credit cards that are in the charity's name are being investigated as there are concerns that Kelly was using them for personal items such as groceries and clothes. The HSE are conducting an internal audit on Console's expenditure, and Kelly is reportedly being questioned over a trip he took to New Zealand with a family member.

Two vehicles, an Audi and a Mercedes, were purchased on the charity's credit cards too, and it is being investigated whether or not they were being used properly for the organisation's purpose.

The HSE are conducting the audit as the service provides a substantial amount of funding towards the charity, with a massive €817,000 being given towards the suicide prevention service in 2014. According to the Console accounts, Kelly received 'consultancy fees' of over €90,000 in 2013 and €81,000 in 2014.