Ex charity boss won’t give back his award
DISGRACED former Console boss Paul Kelly is still refusing to return his People of the Year Award.
Kelly received the award in 2014 for his suicide prevention work with Console.
The organisers of last night’s awards wrote to Mr Kelly in July asking the former CEO of the charity to return the award – but as of yet they have not received a reply from Kelly.
A spokesman for the awards told the Irish Mail on Sunday that their position has not changed: ‘In July this year, the People of the Year Awards wrote to Mr Paul Kelly formally asking
Awards body has yet to receive a reply from Kelly
him to return his award voluntarily,’ he said.
‘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. Our position remains the same,’ the spokesman added.
The awards have been running since 1974 and recognise people who have made a difference in Ireland.
Allegations of financial misconduct at Console were made public earlier this year in a Prime Time Investigates programme following an audit by the HSE. The audit found that €500,000 was spent on foreign trips, designer clothes and other expenses between 2012 and 2014. Another prize: Paul Kelly at the 2014 awards €500,000 was spent on salaries and cars for Kelly and his wife Patricia.
Efforts made this week to contact Mr Kelly were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, at last night’s People of the Year Awards ceremony, former Ireland international footballer Robbie Keane was the big winner.
The ceremony, hosted by Grainne Seoige and Aidan Power, also included winners from the world of rugby, Olympians, Paralympians, community groups and ordinary citizens.
Keane won the International Person of the Year accolade. Sportsperson of the Year was shared between rowing brothers Paul and Gary O’Donovan and sailor Annalise Murphy for their successes at the Rio Olympics.
Davitt Walsh received a People of the Year award for his bravery in the Buncrana pier tragedy in March, when he saved the life of four-monthold Rioghnach-Ann McGrotty.