Delaney with paJohn Delaney and his partner, Emma English, who sang at the former FAI chief’s party

Staff from the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) worked at John Delaney’s lavish James Bond-themed 50th-birthday party, The Sunday Times has established.

Payments connected with the October 21, 2017, bash at the Mount Juliet golf club in Co Kilkenny are being investigated by the FAI through accountancy firm Mazars. Delaney, the association’s executive vice-president and former chief executive, has been on gardening leave since April 15 while the investigation continues.

The birthday party was co-ordinated by Peter Kelly, better known as “Franc”, who has appeared in a number of TV shows as a wedding planner. Kelly did not respond to calls last week.

A number of FAI event staff were asked to help organise the party, but worked separately from Kelly. Some invitations to the