Bono's band U2 donated 40,000 euros to the charity

One in Four was due to shut down after failing to secure additional funding from the Irish Government.

Charity founder Colm O'Gorman, who was abused by a Catholic priest when he was an altar boy in the early 1980s, said he was amazed when the band's manager got in touch.

"We were staggered when we were contacted by Paul McGuinness to tell us the band and himself were prepared to donate 40,000 euro to keep us running for at least a month, as they put it, in an effort to allow the government to get their act together," he said.

"The greater significance for us is that they are prepared to go on the public record and lend their support.

"That is astounding and we are incredibly grateful."

No wages

Mr O'Gorman is to meet Irish Health Minister Micheal Martin about further funding.

Mr Martin said the charity had already received 633,000 euro.

The charity was set up by Mr O'Gorman in London in 1999.

It began operating in the Irish Republic last year, offering counselling and other services.

The charity's 14 staff have offered to work without wages until the end of the year.

Mr O'Gorman successfully sued the Catholic Church for negligence earlier this year.