News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

One of those involved in preparing for the congress, to run from 10-17 June, is Newbridge resident Brenda Drumm, who is the Communications Officer with the Kildare and Leighlin Diocese.
As Ireland last hosted a Eucharistic congress back in 1932, Brenda noted that this will be “a once-in-a-lifetime experience” for those who participate.

“I feel it will serve to show people that there is more to the church than the things people have come to associate with it, that it is a vibrant organization which is open to involvement from everybody.”

In preparation for the Congress, which will include a week-long series of Masses, talks, prayers and exhibitions, Brenda added that the organizing team has been in-situ at the RDS (which will serve as the event base) since February of last year.

While there is a large number of staff involved, the Congress will also require the input of up to 3,000 volunteers and she commented that people from Co Kildare might be well situated in serve in that capacity.

“We need volunteers and I would hope that a considerable number of Kildare people get involved. There will be some training given and people will be asked to indicate in what area they would like to help, whether it’s in translation, logistics, hospitality or whatever.”
(Source: The Kildare Nationalist)

Kilkenny

A Kilkenny-based couple are at the centre of an investigation by the Garda Fraud Squad, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Director of Corporate Enforcement into their handling of what has been described as an Irish Ponzi scheme.

John Mulholland and his wife Ruth Woods live at the Foxes Covert, situated on the exclusive Mount Juliet Estate in Thomastown. The couple were heavily involved in the Custom House Capital investment firm. Custom House Capital was placed into liquidation last year and is the subject of a damning 200-page report by the High Court into its corporate practices.

Ms Woods was a 28% share holder in Custom House Capital while her husband John Mulholland was a non-executive director.

It is estimated that €56 million of investors’ money was misused by Custom House Capital in what Mr Justice Gerard Hogan described as “a sort of an Irish Ponzi scheme”.

The true extent to the amount of money lost in Custom House Capital won’t be known until later on this year. The court-appointed liquidator, Kieran Wallace from KPMG accountants told the Kilkenny People: “It will be well into 2012 before we are able to put a final definitive figure on the amount of money misused.”

Ms Woods is mentioned 13 times in the 200-page report completed by two High Court inspectors late last year. Mr Mulholland was a non-executive director and is mentioned 39 times in relation to decisions taken in Custom House Capital. The report found that key Custom House Capital executives misused customers’ funds, misled investors and gave inaccurate information to the Financial Regulator.

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Nster.com