The internal audit carried out by the HSE into the suicide charity, Console, has been described as ‘disgusting and disturbing' by the Minister for Health.

Minister Simon Harris, along with the Minister of State with special responsibility for mental health, Helen McEntee, were briefed by the HSE's Mental Health Division on the details of the audit on Monday evening.

Minister Harris said that having met with the HSE, he is confident that the audit has been carried out in a ‘comprehensive and thorough manner'.

He added that his ‘absolute priority' at this point ‘is to ensure that the much needed services being provided are not adversely impacted and that the bereavement services, the counselling services and the helpline continue'.

"That is the challenge for the HSE and one which I expect they will deliver on," he commented.

The charity has been buried deep in controversy in recent weeks after it emerged that its founder, Paul Kelly, along with some of his family members, had been using Console money to fund a lavish lifestyle.

Mr Kelly, his wife Patricia and their son Tim benefitted to the tune of almost €500,000 in salaries and cars between 2012 and 2014.

A further €500,000 was also spent on Console credit cards to pay for a range of things, including holidays and designer clothes. Mr Kelly and his family members also made cash withdrawals of over €87,000 using these cards between 2012 and 2014. However, there were no documents to explain how this money was spent.

Last week, the High Court granted a number of interim injunctions against members of the Kelly family barring them from accessing bank accounts and company credit cards.

Meanwhile on Monday, the interim chief executive of Console, David Hall, was granted a court order allowing him to access a locked storage unit in Naas in Kildare, that was linked to Mr and Mrs Kelly.

It is understood that on June 28, the Kellys were seen bringing items to the storage unit. This was just five days after an RTE Investigates programme had highlighted concerns about the governance and finances of the charity.

The unit was opened on Monday evening with the assistance of the Gardai and a large number of items, including boxes of documents and a computer, were taken away. More details on the contents are expected shortly.

Meanwhile, Minister Harris is due to brief the Cabinet on the latest revelations concerning the charity later today.