John O'Shea: 'It's been a privilege'
Out-going Goal CEO and founder John O’Shea has said it was an honour and a privilege to help " the downtrodden, the deprived and the destitute" all over the world.
Mr O'Shea is to retire as CEO next month.
Mr O'Shea reached a settlement with the charity in the High Court today, after he secured a temporary court order preventing his suspension.
In a statement, the board said it wished to pay warm tribute to Mr O'Shea and to his "astonishing" work in founding GOAL 35 years ago
The agency has delivered over $1bn in aid and emergency relief in more than 50 countries.
In a statement this evening, Mr O'Shea thanked donors, aid workers and the Irish and international governments who supported his work.
“I wish Goal continued success and I know that the organisation will remain true to its philosophy of bringing relief to those in greatest need – the poorest of the poor,” he said.
The decision to leave the organisation he set up 35 years ago was made following a High Court dispute with the board over attempts to suspend or remove him.
Pat O’Mahony, chairman of Goal, said on behalf of the board that the outgoing aid agency boss was responsible for making the charity what it is today.
“John O’Shea is a true mould breaker whose compassion for the poorest of the poor and his determination has made Goal an internationally respected force for change throughout the developing world, even in the face of the most appalling natural and man-made disasters,” he said.
“John is a true humanitarian, advocate and champion of the developing world who has touched the hearts and pockets of everyone with his enthusiasm to improve the lives of the poorest of the poor.
“We are all proud to know this Irishman with a passion to change the world - as are the hundreds of thousands of people in the developing world who can say this man, John O’Shea, changed my world and my life.”
The dispute between the board and the highly regarded and at times outspoken charity chief was before the High Court today.
After the settlement was announced, the charity revealed that Mr O’Shea would retire at the end of August.
The board said the settlement was acceptable to both sides.
“He stands apart from most in his commitment to delivering assistance to those in greatest need,” the charity said.
“He has shown an unremitting unwillingness to allow conformity with convention to blunt his drive to replace despair with hope and ensure the cries of any hungry child never go unheeded.”
Goal said it intends to explore opportunities to collaborate with Mr O’Shea for the betterment of the organisation given his vast experience and expertise.
Mr O’Shea, a former sports journalist, initiated a lawsuit against the board claiming attempts were being made to remove him as chief executive, and secured a temporary injunction.
During an initial hearing the court was told of a personality clash between Mr O’Shea and Mr O’Mahony. It was also said that a boardroom vote had taken place to remove him when he was absent.
The board wished Mr O’Shea, his wife Judy and family every good fortune in the future.
Goal is currently working in 13 developing countries. More than 100 international staff and about 3,000 local staff are implementing more than 100 relief and development projects.
