Console asset freeze continued

The High Court has continued orders freezing the assets of the Console charity for a further week.

The case was briefly mentioned before Mr Justice Paul Gilligan yesterday when Martin Hayden, counsel for the charity, applied to have the matter adjourned on the basis of the orders continuing.

There was no opposition from lawyers for the defendants, Console founder Paul Kelly and his wife Patricia, and Mr Kelly’s sister Joan McKenna.

The court heard it was also hoped agreement could be reached between lawyers for Console and the Kellys about allowing them living expenses from their accounts, all of which have been frozen, pending the determination of the case against them.

Console has obtained a number of court orders against the Kellys and Ms McKenna relating to the funds of the charity, which were allegedly spent on a number of non-charity related expenses.

Ms McKenna, a director of the charity company, denies any involvement.

Mr Justice Gilligan, adjourning the matter for a week, said a formal application could be brought in relation to living expenses.