A number of board members have resigned from a voluntary body which provides sheltered housing for older people in protest over what they say is a lack of transparency in the organisation.
The resignations at the Sue Ryder Foundation are believed to be linked to a number of developments, including a €1 million property transaction at which a row has broken out over alleged conflicts of interest.
The foundation, which provides sheltered housing for older people, plans to build a 33-unit sheltered housing complex on a site to be purchased from Gallen Priory nursing home.
However, one board member, Pat Breslin, has raised concerns over a potential conflict of interest given that some of those involved in the sale of land are closely linked to the Sue Ryder Foundation.
RTÉ News reported yesterday that the chief executive of the foundation, Charlie McDonald, and Jim McCrystal, a former board member, were involved in the planned sale of land to the foundation.
In a letter to board members last year, Mr Breslin threatened to ask the Office of the Director for Corporate Enforcement to investigate the circumstances of the planned transaction.
He told The Irish Times yesterday he might still seek an investigation of the transaction, which has yet to be completed.
"I'm clear in my mind, I have a strong objection to anyone selling a piece of land to themselves, that's all I can say," Mr Breslin said. "The question of accountability and transparency arises in these circumstances."
The foundation, which has received millions of euro in State grants, employs 120 staff, mostly part-time, and is supported by 305 voluntary workers.
Foundation chairman Desmond Rogan said yesterday he believed everything in the organisation had been handled in a proper manner.
"Everything is above board. We lodged our accounts with the director of Corporate Enforcement . . . I have to remind people that the vast majority of people feel the board is doing a good job, but a few don't," he said.
Mr Rogan said he believed the resignations had been due to a clash of personalties in the organisation and "people not getting their own way".
He said the planned property transaction had yet to go ahead given that Offaly County Council was still examining its application for a loan under the capital assistance scheme for social housing. The process is expected to be completed shortly.
If the loan is approved, the board would have to make a final decision on the transaction, Mr Rogan said. In the light of media coverage, he said it was by no means certain the transaction would go ahead.
He said the publicity surrounding the sale was damaging to the organisation and the people it provided services for.
"This is very disruptive, to volunteers and residents.
The Sue Ryder Foundation has a pretty good reputation for providing housing for older people," he said. "This is an extremely good organisation run by people of the highest integrity and this doesn't help."
Mr Breslin, meanwhile, said a formal inquiry might not take place if the transaction was halted.
"We'll have to see what happens," he said. "It's not something that you would do lightly. Bringing in the regulator may well do more damage to the foundation if it makes even more headlines."
