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In a letter dated July 19th, 2018, chairman of the charity’s board Tony McPoland wrote to then minister for children Katherine Zappone, stating “no invoices were ever received,” despite repeated queries. If it had to recognise the liability on its accounts it would be deemed insolvent, and the charity would be forced to shut. The charity proposed to repay €10,000 a year for 50 years to cover the debt.
In a January 30th, 2019 email, Mr McPoland asked the debt be written off in full given Oberstown “did not miss the money” while paying Mr Hogan’s salary as Don Bosco chief executive. He said Oberstown and the department “should take their share of responsibility for their inaction” on the matter, and each write off a third of the debt.
Last March the charity’s board considered selling some assets to help pay the debt, including its head office on Clontarf Road, but decided against this.