John Delaney: went on gardening leave on April 15

John Delaney, the former FAI chief executive, was being investigated in relation to four separate allegations — including a claim that the association made improper payments for his 50th birthday celebration — when he agreed to go on gardening leave last April.

The Sunday Times has established that the FAI had resolved to investigate Delaney over concern that he:

•Failed to use his FAI credit card properly

•Failed to manage the finances of the FAI

•Failed to control his personal expenses

•Made a series of payments from FAI funds not in the ordinary course of FAI business.

This expenditure includes FAI payments for Delaney’s birthday party; a €100,000 payment to Paddy Goodwin, Delaney’s personal solicitor; and payments to Susan Keegan, his former girlfriend, which she