CRC may face fraud probe in top-ups scandal

The Garda fraud squad could be called in to investigate breaches of company law at the Central Remedial Clinic following fresh revelations about payments to its former chief executive using charity funds.

The HSE is examining a range of options after it discovered that Paul Kiely received a gold-plated payoff amounting to more than €740,000 in a deal the board of the agency thought could be kept secret.

At the same time of the payment, €700,000 was paid by the charity arm, Friends and Supporters of the CRC, in what was described in internal accounts as a “donation”.