Documents Seized From Ireland Self-Storage Unit Rented by Former Charity Executive

A self-storage unit rented secretly by the embattled former chief executive of Console, a charity organization focused on suicide counseling and bereavement, was opened under court order yesterday at Remedy Self Storage in Naas, Ireland. Paul Kelly has been accused of lavish spending with the organization’s funds. He rented the unit without Console’s permission last week after news of the scandal broke, according to sources.

The self-storage search was prompted by a witness who saw Kelly and his wife, Patricia, loading items into the unit. Authorities found boxes of company documents, office records, checkbooks, a computer and sets of keys. At least 20 boxes were seized, sources reported. The Kellys are accused of racking up more than €464,000 in Console credit-card debt between 2012 and 2014. An audit of 2015 expenses hadn’t been completed as of last week.

Interim chief executive David Hall sought permission from the High Court to open the unit after the witness reported seeing the Kellys make two trips to the unit on June 28. Hall applied for the court order after confirming Kelly had rented the unit and paid cash.

Another court order was issued last Thursday to prevent the Kellys from accessing Console’s bank and other accounts. It also required them to return property to the charity, including company cars. Hall had not been provided with any documentation regarding the storage unit or its contents, he told the source.

Hall is expected to discuss the documents found inside the unit today during a hearing.