British branch of Console under investigation by Dept of Foreign Affairs

The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed it has sent auditors to investigate Console in the UK.

The British branch of the suicide prevention charity is under scrutiny amid reports the Irish organisation is to shut down after a major financial scandal.

Former CEO Paul Kelly and his wife have been accused up spending vast amounts of the charity's money to pay for luxury holidays and designer clothes.

Console is expected to be wound up within days and services transferred to other aid agencies to help its service-users.

The CEO of Mental health group Aware, Dominic Layden, says they'd be willing to help, if asked.

“Obviously we haven’t sat down with anyone to discuss the details around that,” Laydon said. “I think there’s probably another organisation that is porbably closer to this at the moment.

“But if we were asked, we would certainly put up our hand and be willing to help out in some shape or form.”