‘I’m so hurt and disappointed by Console scandal’
FUNDRAISER DERRY CLARKE SPEAKS OUT OVER CHARITY BOSS CONTROVERSY
TOP chef Derry Clarke has said he was ‘hurt and disappointed’ to learn about the allegations of financial mismanagement at suicide charity Console.
Mr Clarke, who runs l’Ecrivain with wife Sallyanne, has been a major supporter of the charity since their 16-year-old son, Andrew, died on New Year’s Eve 2012 after taking his own life.
Only two weeks ago, Mr Clarke was one of 250 cyclists who took part in a 200km Console cycle – the third cycle he has done for the charity.
Console CEO Paul Kelly resigned from his position on Thursday night following allegations of ‘serious financial mismanagement’ and ‘deception’ at the charity.
His wife Patricia and sister Joan McKenna also quit as directors.
A Prime Time programme by the RTÉ Investigations Unit alleged Mr Kelly paid directors – including himself, his wife and another relative – over €200,000, in contravention of laws governing the organisation’s charitable tax exemption status. The programme also revealed the charity named people on its board who either weren’t on it, or didn’t
‘This has done untold damage’
play the role Console said they did.
Speaking to the Irish Daily Mail, Mr Clarke said that while he had not yet watched Prime Time, he read about the allegations and was shocked to think that vital funds weren’t being used properly.
‘I first became involved with Console on a personal level in the wake of losing our son Andrew. I’m very disappointed with what has happened for a number of reasons. I think this has done untold damage to the charity,’ he said.
What Mr Kelly is alleged to have done is ‘totally and utterly wrong’, he said. ‘I’m disappointed and hurt for the people who have collected money for Console and fundraised. Unfortunately it has damaged the charity but we have to remember that one person’s actions should not reflect on the whole organisation.
He added: ‘The charity was really only taking off so for something like this to come to light is very disappointing. It’s a vital service that is needed for suicide in Ireland. This is why I am so upset and disappointed.
‘[This could] do untold damage to everyone involved in it,’ added the top chef.
Since the passing of Derry and Sallyanne’s son Andrew, the chef has been a leading campaigner for the Console charity, and recently met Mr Kelly.
Mr Clarke said: ‘I wouldn’t know him very well but we have met through various fundraisers. We met two weeks ago on our third cycle from Dublin to Galway for Console.
‘It’s hurtful because everyone is fundraising to enrich Console and provide vital services to bereaved families across the country. You feel a bit out of control and hurt.’
He added: ‘It’s going to take a very long time for it to find its feet. Console delivers vital services now and there’s still some very honest and good people who work for the charity and want to make it work so we have to think of them.’
Last week’s Prime Time programme, entitled Broken Trust, alleged that when applying for State grants and tax exemptions, the charity altered accounts to omit references to directors’ pay and other benefits. It was also reported that the charity’s directors, from 2010 to early 2014, were made up of Mr Kelly, his wife, and two immediate family members. Under Revenue Commission rules, there should be ‘a minimum of three officers, trustees or directors, who are not related and are independent of each other’.
Console submitted accounts to bodies such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Health Service Executive, the charity’s main funder, where Patricia Kelly used her maiden name Patricia Dowling.
The HSE, which provided more than €2.5million to the organisation over recent years, is expected to review funding arrangements within the next few days.
However, Mr Clarke said he has not lost all faith in the charity. He remarked: ‘I will still get involved. Going forward they are going to have to declare every penny that is fundraised and exactly where it’s going. It’s a vital service and there still are a lot of good people there despite the actions of one person, casting a shadow on the charity.’
‘Still good people in Console’