Violated, Disgusted And Let Down – Twitter Reacts To The Spending Scandal At Suicide Charity Console

We haven't been short on charity scandals in Ireland over the past few years.

A sad statement to make, but a painfully true one.

Every time, we say it's the final nail in the coffin – and yet, every time the inherently charitable nature of the Irish people seems to carry us through. The sector recovers, we all move on

In the wake of last night's Prime Time report on Console, however, there is a palpable feeling that we've crossed a point of no return.

Founder Paul Kelly, along with his wife and son, spent almost half a million euro of the charity's money on personal expenses – from cars, designer clothes and travel to Rugby World Cup tickets.

And the reaction on Twitter has been a mixture of sadness, anger and a sorry sense of futility.

Unsurprising when you look at the numbers

Other spending on the credit cards controlled by #Console CEO Paul Kelly, his wife and his son were:#rtept pic.twitter.com/rAwrYOGQdl

— RTÉ Prime Time (@RTE_PrimeTime) June 28, 2016

The predominant feeling is one of pure anger

If you're ripping off a charity like #Console then prison is too good for you.

— Baz (@bazlyons) June 29, 2016

Along with disgust at the family itself

Paul Kelly's sister is in my thoughts. He used her death to set up #Console & look at how he has disrespected all affected by #suicide since

— Mags (@magsmccallig) June 29, 2016

The scandal around #Console is disgusting. Anyone who knows #PaulKelly and his family should make their disgust known. Sickening

— Laura Jayne Halton (@LauraJHalton) June 29, 2016

They did it because they could. Absolutely sickening, & what a blow to those in need of a service like this, and to their families #Console

— Aoife Hearne (@HearneAoife) June 28, 2016

Unsurprisingly, many feel deeply let down

Feel as violated as waking up to a burgled home while I slept. #Console https://t.co/47fzqVaSvm

— Amy ???? (@Amy_Can_) June 29, 2016

Truly Disgusting to take all that money from a charity, how can they look at themselves in the mirror #Console,https://t.co/6XsA3rghER

— Flash Wilson (@Realflashwilson) June 29, 2016

While there's a growing sense of frustration in the wake of other similar scandals

#Console put the final nail in all national charities. Sad thing they exploited Pres. Michael D as patron.#notapennymore

— Bold Fenian (@boldfenian) June 29, 2016

Is the Irish charity "industry" just one big gravy train? #Console

— Darren Geraghty (@GeraghtyDarren) June 28, 2016

Shocked by what I'm reading about Console, another scandal that will tar all transparent, honest charities with the same brush #Console

— Liz Roche (@LizJRoche) June 29, 2016

The public is sickened...

And you can't really blame them.