O’Shea outburst sparks high level GOAL resignations

TWO prominent Irish-Americans have quit as directors of the charity GOAL USA following John O’Shea’s criticism of the Government’s decision to offer €1 million in aid to New Orleans.

The New York-based pair, publisher Niall O’Dowd of the Irish Voice and Tipperary-born Declan Kelly, president and chief executive of consultancy firm Financial Dynamics, resigned following Mr O’Shea’s outburst.

Both have not publicly commented on their decisions.

The humanitarian aid organisation immediately took steps to remove the names of both directors from its GOAL USA website.

Mr O’Shea, who later apologised for some of his comments, could not be contacted yesterday.

However, his comments about an Irish offer of support after the hurricane disaster could significantly impact on the organisation which receives backing from the US Government, the American Ireland Fund and other US charitable trusts.

GOAL USA fundraiser gala balls, alone, normally contribute over $100,000 to the aid relief charity.

During comments aired on Morning Ireland, Mr O’Shea said it was “disgusting” for the Government to send aid to the American city as the US was awash with millionaires.

He criticised plans to send army officers to New Orleans and compared the proposed move as sending “boy scouts to the Somme.”

Mr O’Shea has since said he held the Irish Army in the highest regard and, on Tuesday last, sent a letter of apology to Lt-Gen Jim Sreenan, chief of staff of the armed forces.

Mr O’Shea said in attempting to make an analogy, he used the boy scouts’ remarks. “This term was hugely inappropriate and I realise could have caused offence to Army personnel. None was intended,” he stated.

Mr O’Shea also added: “If the Government believes that Army personnel can assist in the rehabilitation effort in New Orleans, my colleagues and I wish them every success.

“We know they will do a good job.

“The Irish people, and the Irish Government, must identify and empathise with the plight of the suffering people of New Orleans and surrounding areas. We must do whatever we think will alleviate their suffering.”