Flannery & Kerins slam PAC ‘abuse’

Former Rehab chiefs executive Frank Flannery and Angela Kerins have thrown down the gauntlet to the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee after accusing members of "a gross abuse" of their position and knowingly acting outside the law — warning there will be "grave consequences" if the inquiry continues.

The shock claims were made by the officials who were forced to cut ties with the charity earlier this month after they again refused to submit to a committee grilling.

In two separate legal letters sent to the PAC last night — hours before a two-week deadline for them to willingly attend runs out, meaning they will now be “compelled” to meet with the committee — Mr Flannery and Ms Kerins said they have been the subject of an illegal “witch-hunt” and “personal vendetta”.

Dore and Company solicitors said their client, Mr Flannery, who until recently was a long-term senior Fine Gael adviser, “does not need to exercise a right of reply” as no issues have arisen “on which he would be able to assist”.

A letter from Eames Solicitors on behalf of Ms Kerins said a “significant injustice has been visited” on their client, insisting she did not “snub” the committee, but suffered “serious ill-health” requiring hospitalisation between March 2-11 and “one night” at a later date.

PAC chair John McGuinness last night said the committee will respond to the claims in full during its meeting this morning.