THE INTERIM CEO of Console has taken possession of some assets of the suicide prevention charity.
The assets were handed over to David Hall following High Court orders made on Thursday.
RTÉ News reports that Hall met with representatives of Console founder and former CEO Paul Kelly and his wife Patricia Kelly today.
The assets taken include two company cars, a 2010 Audi Q5 and a 2009 Mercedes CLS, as well as records and computers.
The case will return to the High Court next week.
Earlier today, Senator James Reilly responded to reports that former Fine Gael parliamentary assistant Tommy Morris made him aware of concerns about how Console was being run in 2013, when he was health minister.
“I met Tommy Morris on many occasions. I do recall Tommy raising Paul Kelly with me on one such occasion in the Dáil canteen, but nothing specific.
“As was my regular practice, I would have advised him to follow up and put these concerns in writing. Any such records should be in the Department of Health.
“I would like to point out that as a public representative I have always sought to act in the best interests of the public. As Minister for Health I commenced the review of payment arrangements within hospital groups, which revealed certain irregularities and led to the revelations at the CRC and elsewhere.
I am appalled and shocked by the revelations surrounding Console and Paul Kelly and want to offer my support to those great and generous people, especially those on the frontline, who have sought to help some our most vulnerable citizens in their time of need.
‘Lack of clarity’
Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald said Reilly’s comments “failed to bring clarity” to the situation.
“James Reilly admits meeting Tommy Morris and recalls Mr Morris raising the issue of Paul Kelly with him in the Dáil canteen. Dr Reilly says he advised Mr Morris to put his concerns in writing but that there is no evidence of correspondence or meetings with the HSE on the matter.
However, Tommy Morris says he was very specific with James Reilly in relation to serious allegations against Paul Kelly. He says the then minister came back after raising the issue with his department and gave Console a clean bill of health.
“He further alleges that he received subsequent assurances from the minister’s special adviser that all was well at Console.
“The minister’s statement today is at total variance with this account and we need to get to the truth of this matter,” McDonald said.
Comments are closed as the case is before the courts.
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