Boyzone singer Keith Duffy has confirmed he is to seek legal advice over comments allegedly made about him with regard to his work as a campaigner for Irish Autism Action.
Duffy, whose daughter Mia has autism, was a tireless supporter of the embattled charity for 14 years, adding high profile clout to many of the organisation’s fundraising efforts.
Now the singer-turned actor, who now runs The Keith Duffy Foundation, has slammed IAA after reports that new CEO Brian Murnane claimed that while the star had helped raise €8m for children with autism, the events cost €7m to host.
“After all I had done, when I did step down, I didn’t even receive as much as a thank you card, or my wife never even received as much as a bunch of flowers,” Duffy told the Irish Independent.
Mr Murnane denies making the comment.
Parents of children with autism across Ireland have taken to social media to request a detailed breakdown of how money donated to Irish Autism Action is allocated.
Questions over the Mullingar-based charity’s spending were raised after its new CEO Brian Murnane admitted the number of members the IAA assists with Behavioural Outreach programmes has been reduced from 17 to just two. Now the charity has announced plans to cut outreach services altogether and divert its full attention to national advocacy.
This week, Mr Murnane admitted IAA received at least €600,000 from the government, despite initially claiming the organisation received ‘no State funding’.
Meanwhile, more than €300,000 raised by Early Childhood Ireland during a fundraising Pyjama Day is being withheld from the charity until the matter is resolved.
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