The controversies that have engulfed well-known charity

JULY 1997

STATE funding is suspended following an investigation by the European Commission’s anti-fraud unit that found alleged inadequacies in the relief agency’s accounts

Charity founder John O’Shea said the decision by the Department of Foreign Affairs to suspend funding was linked to his criticism of the Government’s aid policy.

Funding was restored after a number of months.

SEPTEMBER 2005

Two members of the US board resign in protest over comments Mr O’Shea made in relation to Hurricane Katrina.

JULY 2009

Goal worker Sharon Commins and a colleague are kidnapped in Darfur.

DECEMBER 2010

Ms Commins (right) accuses Goal of betraying her by not evacuating her before she was kidnapped.

AUGUST 2012

Mr O’Shea resigns as CEO following a High Court case in which he tried to prevent his removal from the board.

He is replaced by former minister Barry Andrews.

APRIL 2016

The US authorities investigate alleged corruption involving the Goal operations on the Turkish-Syrian border.

JUNE 2016

It emerges the Government decided to withhold more than €7m in funding as a result of the investigation.

OCTOBER 2016

News breaks of Mr Andrew’s resignation.