FUNERAL details have been announced for Peter Ireton, the founder and former chairman of the Limerick-based developing world charity Bóthar.
Mr Ireton (68) was found dead in tragic circumstances at his home in Casteltroy, Limerick around 8am, Monday.
Gardai said they were “investigating a sudden death incident following the discovery of a body”, however they said they were not treating the death as suspicious.
Mr Ireton’s body was taken to University Hospital Limerick, where a post mortem was to be carried out.
A file is to be prepared for the office of the Limerick Coroner to arrange for an inquest to be held at a later date.
Thompson’s undertakers, Thomas Street, Limerick city, announced that Mr Ireton’s funeral mass would take place at 11.30am, next Monday, 26th April, at Monaleen Church, Castletroy.
A private cremation service will take place at Shannon Crematorium, after.
Peter, beloved son of the late John and Nora Ireton. Predeceased by his sister Rosemary and now survived and hugely missed by his loving sister Janet (Leo), his brother Vincent and his sister Kate (Shannon). Very deeply regretted by his brothers-in-law, Gerard and Jim and his sister-in-law, Libby, his nieces and nephews and a very wide circle of relatives and friends.The Ireton family have requested “no flowers” at the funeral.
Thompsons announced that “in the interests of public health, attendance at the Requim Mass will be restricted to accordance with government guidelines and in line with social distancing protocols”.
Mr Ireton’s death comes amid a bitter court conflict between Bóthar and David Moloney, the man who succeeded him as its chief executive in 2011, and less than a fortnight after the charity took action against Mr Moloney claiming he misappropriated over €464,000 of the charity’s money to benefit himself and others.
Mr Moloney who resigned last February, has denied any wrongdoing, and his assets have been temporarily frozen by the High Court.
Bóthar director and former chairman Harry Lawlor has claimed in the proceedings that Mr Moloney was “guilty of an egregious breach of trust and an appalling dereliction of his duty”.
Mr Lawlor also disclosed in a court affidavit filed last week, that Bóthar was investigating if a series of payments from the charity to Mr Ireton, following his retirement as CEO in 2011, were made with the board’s knowledge or consent.
The internal probe has as yet made no findings against Mr Ireton.
The late Limerick man had denied any impropriety, telling the Irish Independent last week, that he was not aware of any investigation by Bóthar, and that he had continued working openly for the charity until 2015.
Bóthar is well known for sending livestock overseas to impoverished communities across the world, through receiving donations from the public.
