Rehab want Paul Kelly to return People of the Year award

The People of the Year committee has written to embattled former Console head, Paul Kelly demanding he return his award as calls grow for the Government to urgently grant the charity regulator investigative powers.

Rehab Group, who run the People of the Year Awards, want the gong back “ in order to protect the standing and integrity of the awards”. It was given to the Console CEO in 2014 for “challenging the perceptions of suicide and having the resolve to create the first dedicated suicide prevention and support services in Ireland”.

“The value and esteem of the awards is based on the high regard that the people of Ireland have for the award recipients and the fact that each of the winners is nominated by members of the public,” a spokesman said. “ This award was made to Mr Kelly personally and this request is no reflection on the work of Console, its volunteers or its fundraisers”.