The High Court is due to hear an application for an injunction aimed at protecting the assets of Console.

The national suicide prevention and bereavement charity has been embroiled in controversy following an HSE audit into the management of its funds.

The total income declared for Console between 2012 and 2014 was just under €5m and the HSE audit revealed how its chief executive Paul Kelly, his wife Patricia and their son Tim received almost half a million of that in salaries and cars.

It has also been alleged that the charity’s credit cards were used to spend over €464,000 on items including designer clothes, groceries, dental work and trips abroad.

Paul Kelly announced he was stepping down last week, but it is understood that he has yet to hand in a formal letter of resignation.

Lawyers for Console appeared before the High Court this morning to indicate their intention to seek interlocutory relief.

It is understood that they are looking to protect the charity’s assets, but court papers are still being finalised.