People
Sage is the National Advocacy Service for Older People. It also supports vulnerable adults and healthcare patients in certain situations where no other service is available. It responds according to a person’s needs with Information – Support – Advocacy – Safeguarding and often a combination of all these approaches. It also identifies, analyses and highlights issues which require systems changes through Systemic Advocacy.
Sage Advocacy staff are expected to:
Be approachable, friendly and easy to talk to; non- judgemental; sensitive to others; involving and inclusive
Be respectful of people, their privacy and of their relationships with family members/social networks
Be self-aware and assured without being arrogant or egotistic
Value individual autonomy, self-determination and personal empowerment
Be proactive and willing to take initiative regarding raising advocacy awareness among health and social care services personnel
Be vigilant, attentive to instances of poor quality and standards and the status of vulnerable adults, older people and healthcare patients
Be open to self-review, to receiving feedback and accepting support, supervision and mentoring
Be independent and free from any conflicts of interest
Be compassionate as well as passionate about enabling vulnerable adults, older people and healthcare patients to have their voice heard
Be curious, creative and innovative and flexible, open to exploring different ways of doing things and problem solving while understanding the wider context and possible implications of different approaches
Be resilient and able to handle challenging people and situations including those involving people who have experienced considerable trauma in early life, have been suddenly bereaved or are experiencing complex grieving and people who are survivors of institutional abuse.
Sage Advocacy has a core of paid staff who are supported by trained volunteers. Our key task is to develop regional teams of people capable of tackling everything from the most simple support tasks to the most complex advocacy challenges in every care setting.
We collaborate where possible and challenge where necessary.
All of our email addresses are formatted as follows: firstname.lastname@sageadvocacy.ie
Management Team
Bibiana Savin
CEO
Helen Fitzgerald
Case Management & Support (Asst. CEO)
Helen Fitzgerald is Service Manager – Information and Support with Sage Advocacy. Helen’s role involves ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of Sage Advocacy’s provision of information and support to callers and clients, and contributes to the effectiveness of decision-making on casework within the organisation through monitoring and reporting on case activity at a national level. Helen holds an MSc in Applied Psychology from Dublin Business School, a BA in Psychology from NUI Maynooth, and has qualifications in Information, Advice and Advocacy Practice, Community & Health Services, Data Protection, and Genealogical Studies
Mary Warren
Operations & Governance
(Asst. CEO)
Mary joined Sage Advocacy in 2018 and was appointed
Operations & Governance (Deputy CEO) in September 2024. In this role, she
is responsible for overseeing operations, ensuring compliance, and aligning
strategies with organisational goals. She supports the CEO in managing the
organisation’s operational plan, implementing the Statement of Strategy,
supporting the Board and Committees, and upholding strong governance
structures.
Before joining Sage Advocacy, Mary worked in property
management and fixed charge receivership, previously gaining experience in
financial services, customer service and administration.
She holds a BA in Psychology, a Professional Diploma in
Leadership & Management from UCD Professional Academy and has completed a
High Impact Leadership Programme with IMI.
Mary also has voluntary experience in school mentorship
programs and research on precision teaching in schools.
Paula Bruen
Financial Controller
Paula is a Chartered Financial Accountant with over 15 years’
experience across industry and not for profit organisations. Paula initially joined Sage Advocacy in 2017
as an outsourced Financial Controller and joined as a staff member in 2024. Paula is responsible for the finance function
within Sage and is part of the Sage management team. In her role she will drive financial
excellence though collaborative budgeting, reporting monthly management
accounts, preparing statutory Financial Statement for audit and implement best
practices to improve the overall financial administration of the company.
Paula holds a BA in Business Studies, a MBS in Accounting
and is a full Fully Qualified ACA Chartered Accountant.
Information & Support Service
Lisa O'Connor
Information & Support Services Manager
Lisa has been with Sage Advocacy since 2020. During her time with Sage she has held a number of positions including, Regional Advocate for Dublin South East and Wicklow, Greater Dublin Area Regional Manager, Regional Manager Dublin South East and the South East and Dublin South West and the Midlands and now Information and Support – Service Manager.
As Information and Support – Service Manager, Lisa is responsible for the day to day management of the Information and Support Coordinators, monitoring of data at a national level and reviewing and assuring the quality of the information and support function and CRM.
Prior to joining Sage, Lisa worked for a number of years in the non-profit sector in Dublin. Lisa is a qualified Occupational Therapist, having graduated with an MSc in Occupational Therapy from Queen Margaret University Edinburgh. She also holds a BA in History and Human Development from Dublin City University.
Colleen Creagh
Information, Support & Advocacy Coordinator
As a first point of contact for Sage Advocacy referrals, Colleen helps provide our Information & Support service on a wide range of issues, coordinating the provision of any further support or advocacy services as needed.
Prior to joining Sage, Colleen was an advocate in a personal capacity for a number of years while caring for someone with dementia. She has first-hand experience of the issues and challenges that may arise from home care, acute hospital and nursing home care settings.
Colleen has a BSc Management and a diploma in Psychology. She previously worked as a Client Relationship Manager in the private sector across a number of industries.
Karolyn Ward
Information, Support & Advocacy Coordinator
Karolyn graduated from Athlone Institute of Technology with a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Social Studies in Social Care and later from the European Institute of Communications with a Postgraduate Diploma in Communications and Public Relations. With over two decades of experience in the community and voluntary sector, she has undertaken various roles focused on supporting vulnerable adults with learning disabilities and mental health challenges.
Karolyn has held a number of roles in the area of Communications, including Head of Advocacy and Communications with a national mental health charity, developing and collaborating on numerous advocacy projects and campaigns championing the rights of those affected by mental health difficulties.
She is passionate about empowering people to have their voice heard in decisions that affect them and raise their voice for change
Victoria Monkhouse
Information, Support & Advocacy Coordinator
Victoria joined Sage Advocacy’s Information and Support Team in January 2025 having spent the previous six years in the Intellectual Disabilities sector supporting adults and teenagers with a range of additional needs and challenging behaviour. Her work in the non-profit sector began in 2010 on Preparing for Life’s Home Visiting Programme as a Family Mentor and later as their Early Years and Schools Programme Co-ordinator.
As one of the Information, Support and Advocacy Coordinators, Victoria is one of the first points of contact. She aims to resolve questions where possible, signpost to appropriate services, and escalate issues when necessary.
Victoria holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Adult Learning and Development from the National University of Galway and a BA (Hons) in Adult Learning with a focus on family studies from All Hallows College / DCU.
Dublin & North-East + West & North-West
Jamie Sherlock
Regional Manager
Jamie has built an extensive career spanning 20 years in the NGO sector, with a dedicated focus on older persons, dementia care and community engagement. Over the course of her career at The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Jamie held several pivotal roles in both Operations and Learning & Development.
Jamie’s early career at the organisation saw her managing the daily operations of a range of services, including Home Care, Day Care, Alzheimer Cafes, and Social Clubs across Dublin and the North- East. Her leadership ensured the effective and compassionate delivery of essential services, enabling individuals living with dementia to maintain a high quality of life within their communities.
In addition to her operational management roles, Jamie was also a key member of the Learning & Development Department. In this capacity, she delivered dementia-specific training to staff across the country, from frontline workers to senior management, ensuring that all employees had the knowledge and skills needed to provide high-quality care and support to those living with dementia.
Before joining Sage in 2022, Jamie served as the National Community Engagement Manager at The Alzheimer Society of Ireland. In this role, she was responsible for driving the organisation’s new Community Engagement strategy throughout Ireland. She worked closely with schools, government bodies, non-profits, and other organizations to promote education and raise awareness about dementia, helping to deepen the public’s understanding of the condition and its challenges.
Jamie holds a Business Finance degree from University College Cork and The Irish Management Institute, as well as a range of training qualifications. With her vast experience and passion for making a difference in the lives of individuals Jamie remains a leading advocate in the NGO sector.
Ann Griffin
Regional Advocate, North-West
Prior to joining Sage, Ann was actively engaged with the Third Age National Advocacy Programme since 2010. Ann was responsible for hands-on delivery of advocacy services and the management of a team of volunteer advocates in Leitrim, Longford, Roscommon, and Sligo. Ann was office manager of a Care in the Community facility which involved assessing the needs of clients in their own homes to develop and provide appropriate care packages.
Anne also held the post of Welfare Director of a sheltered employment facility providing advocacy and support services to thirty clients with intellectual and physical disability.
Ann has completed a Certificate in Advocacy with the National College of Ireland, Volunteer Management Training Certificate with Volunteer Centres Ireland and a certificate in Management Skills for Managers of Advocacy Services, I.T. Blanchardstown.
Ciara Gallagher
Regional Advocate, Dublin North
Ciara has worked in the area of care provision services for over 30 years.
Prior to joining Sage, Ciara worked for the Irish Advocacy Network providing advocacy services in Acute Psychiatric Units in the Dublin, Meath and Louth area.
Ciara has worked as a social care worker for Three Steps Assessment and Therapeutic Residential Services for Children and Adolescents.
Ciara has also worked as an assistant programme coordinator on the Special Care Programme, a 48-week training programme providing theoretical training and work placement in the field of Intellectual Disability within in The Daughters of Charity – Disability Support Services.
Ciara holds a BA in Applied Social Studies (Disabilities) from the Open Training College.
Cheryl Mellett
Regional Advocate, Dublin North (Courts & ADM focus)
Cheryl has worked in many roles over the course of her career including ten years military service in both the Navy and the Army, she has also worked in management positions, legal administration and legal research. Cheryl holds an honours Law Degree from the University of Galway and a first-class honour’s masters in Law, specializing in advanced legal research, human rights and advocacy.
Prior to joining Sage Cheryl also worked with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties as an intern engaged in policy and research work, contributing to submissions to the UN on ICCPR and ICESCR, as well as submissions to the Oireachtas on various pieces of legislation including the Mother and Baby Homes Redress Scheme and the Assisted Decision-Making Capacity Act.
Derek Meates
Regional Advocate, Dublin North
Derek spent many years working in the construction industry before becoming employed as a Youth Advocate with YAP Ireland. From there he secured various positions with Northside Partnership supporting new communities and developing pathways to services and integration for families and individuals within the area.
Derek has trained in Information, Advice and Advocacy and is a qualified mediator, which supports his new role with Sage Advocacy as Regional Advocate for Dublin and North-East.
Geraldine Jolley
Regional Advocate, North-West
Prior to being appointed as the Regional Coordinator for the Midlands, Geraldine Jolley worked with the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) for more than 10 years as an inspector of social services with responsibility for the regulation of designated centres for older people.
Before this role she was the area development officer for Mental Health Ireland. This role involved the development of positive mental health promotion programmes, suicide prevention initiatives and interagency working relationships with statutory, community, voluntary and social partners to ensure the effective delivery of services and the optimum management of resources.
Geraldine also spent more than 20 years working in the UK and held varied roles in regulation with the Care Quality Commission and as a nurse manager for mental health services that included acute, rehabilitation and dementia care services.
Geraldine is a mental health nurse with a specialist qualification in community mental health nursing. She also has a Masters degree in Interprofessional Health and Welfare Studies.
Marisa Sousa
Regional Advocate, Dublin North
Marisa Sousa, the Regional Advocate for Dublin North, has dedicated her career to cultivating inclusive communities and championing individual rights. With over six years in Dublin’s disability sector, Marisa safeguarded vulnerable adults, skilfully navigating complex cases and effectively communicating with diverse stakeholders. Her international roles across Portugal, Latvia, Italy, and Mozambique underscore a commitment to inclusion, spanning youth welfare, counselling, domestic violence awareness, and human rights initiatives. Holding a BA (Honours) in Psychology from the University of Coimbra, she pursued advanced studies in Neuropsychology and Violence Against Women. Marisa’s journey exemplifies her dedication to advocacy, community enhancement, and quality care across varied settings.
Maureen Finlay
Regional Advocate, North-East
Prior to joining Sage, Maureen was a Development Officer with Age Action in Meath. She was responsible for implementing the National Advocacy Programme (later to become the Third Age National Advocacy Programme). Maureen was responsible for managing and providing supervision and support to advocates placed in nursing homes across Meath and Louth. In addition, she developed the first befriending programme for Meath nursing homes, recruiting and training a new team of befrienders.
Prior to this, Maureen worked for nine years for the Citizen’s Information Service, initially as an Information Officer and later as an Advocacy Resource Officer for the North East.
As a trained advocate, Maureen represented clients at Employment Appeals Tribunals, the Labour Court, HSE/Social Welfare and Equality Appeals and the Family Law Court.
Maureen has recently completed Conflict Positive Training, attaining a Certificate in Conflict Facilitation Skills & Practice
Rebecca Carolan
Regional Advocate, North-East
Prior to joining Sage, Rebecca worked as the Director of Nursing of a private nursing home for 18 years, caring for Older Persons and vulnerable adults. A large part of her role involved working with clients and their families along their dementia journey, ensuring a holistic and high level quality of care. She has vast experience in dealing with the many issues that can arise for clients who are moving in to a nursing home and supporting them with the Fair Deal process and other needs. She holds a Higher Diploma in Adult Nursing, a level 6 with distinction in Gerontology and is a certified brain injury specialist with ACBIS. Rebecca has also worked in the acute hospital setting as a Clinical Nurse Manager, specialising in Orthopaedics and General Surgery. She is a board member of the Louth Volunteer Centre and volunteers with the Irish Cancer Society.
Sheila Hunt
Regional Advocate, North-West
Prior to joining Sage, Sheila was a Manager of a Voluntary Housing Body and Community Centre in East Mayo for over 9 years. She was responsible for the management and provision of support services to all sectors in the community, and for identifying and implementing new services. As part of her work, she set up a Meals on Wheels service that provides hot meals to older vulnerable people in a 30mile radius and she acquired planning permission for 10 new supported living houses and a group home for older people to extend the VHB’s social housing provision.
Sheila holds qualifications in Business, Community Development and Leadership in Community Social Enterprises.
She is currently a Secretariat member on the social inclusion pillar of the Mayo Public Participation Network (Mayo PPN)
Trish Martyn
Regional Advocate, West
Prior to joining Sage, Trish worked with a community project in inner city Galway until 2014. Trish was responsible for the provision of support services to all sections of the local population. Trish previously spent 15 years working with the Lifestart Foundation, a parent-directed child-centred learning programme; supporting parents in home, community and centre based settings.
Trish holds a BA in Community and Family Studies.
Dublin & Midlands + Dublin & South-East
John Kerrigan
Regional Manager
Prior to joining Sage Advocacy, John was Development Officer with Age Action Ireland where he empowered older persons to participate in society and to overcome barriers. This included the development and delivery of Age Action’s Care & Repair and Getting Started programmes.
As a qualified trainer John has created and delivered QQI Level 5 to 9 education programmes; working on Local Training Initiative (LTI) programmes, and for ten years lecturing part-time with the Centre for Lifelong Learning, St Angela’s College, Sligo.
Breda Stanley Pickford
Regional Advocate, Dublin South-East & Wicklow
Breda Stanley Pickford has a professional background in
Marketing Management and Public Relations.
Breda also holds qualifications in Information and Advocacy Practice,
Intercultural Understanding and Diversity and Employment Law from the Kings Inns.
Prior to working for Sage Advocacy, Breda volunteered and
held the role as Information and Advocate Officer with Citizens Information
Service.
Caroline Hanley
Regional Advocate, South-East
Caroline began working with Sage in June 2016.
Caroline worked for over 10 years in Boston for an Employee Assistance Program where she coordinated drug testing, mental health and substance abuse services for employees of large construction unions and their families. She also has many years’ experience as a home care worker for the elderly, both in private residences and assisted living facilities.
Since returning from Boston in 2014, Caroline worked as a Family Carer Support Officer for Family Carers Ireland in Wexford. While there she established a Volunteer Befriending program, coordinated respite care for the elderly and developed support groups and training for family carers.
Caroline completed a BA in Public and Social Policy and a Higher Diploma in Health Promotion both at NUIG and a Graduate Certificate in Forensic Services at the University of Massachusetts. Caroline became a volunteer Sage Representative in 2015.
Emer Meighan
Regional Advocate, South Dublin (Focused on ADM & Courts Related Work)
Prior to joining Sage, Emer worked with The Irish Hospice Foundation. Emer worked on ‘A Journey of Change’ programme which was designed to improve end-of-life care in nursing homes and residential settings, she worked on the ‘Hospice Friendly Hospitals’ programme which seeks to ensure that end of life, palliative and bereavement care is central to the everyday business of hospitals and the ‘Design & Dignity’ programme which transforms the way hospital spaces are designed for people at the end of life and their families.
Before joining The Irish Hospice Foundation Emer worked for a number of years with adults with physical and intellectual disabilities. She worked as independent creative arts psychotherapist for a number of organisations and was responsible in supporting people to reflect on their own lives and support them self-advocate.
Emer holds a Diploma in Mediation and Restorative Practice from NUI Maynooth, a Diploma in Project Management from the Institute of Project Management, a Masters of Drama-psychotherapy from NUI Maynooth, along with a Post Graduate Diploma in Arts in Healthcare Settings, from NUI Maynooth.
Holly Foley
Regional Advocate, Midlands
Holly graduated from National University of Ireland, Galway, with an MA in Public Advocacy and Activism in 2021. Holly also holds a BA in Politics, Sociology and History from NUIG.
Prior to working with Sage, Holly has worked with statutory and non-statutory organisations in the areas of homelessness, domestic abuse and LGBT+ advocacy.
She is passionate about providing independent advocacy to people and this shapes her approach in her role day-to-day.
Holly joined Sage Advocacy as an Information, Support and Advocacy Coordinator before transitioning to her current role as Regional Advocate for the Midlands.
Shane Clancy
Regional Advocate, South-East
Shane has worked in the social care sector since completing his qualifications in the summer of 2009. His career to-date takes in various areas such as residential care for adults with autism, home care manager for older persons in Kildare, Laois, and Offaly, and residential services manager for adults with acquired brain injuries.
Shane has spent time both on the frontline of care provision and within the management teams of each organisation he was worked with.
Shane holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Studies from St Patrick’s College in Carlow.
Patricia Moran
Regional Advocate, Greater Dublin
Patricia has worked in the Social Care sector for almost ten years. Her client group varies from working with clients with intellectual disabilities to mainstream Childrens residential care and supporting young people in the justice system. Patricia progressed within her career from working directly with clients as a social care worker to transitioning to Management positions . Patricia’s previous position was with Ashdale Care Ireland where she worked as Compliance Manager. Patricia was responsible for completing internal audits across 24 homes in Ireland to ensure compliance with the National Standards for Childrens residential care and worked closely with Tusla Child and family agency.
Patricia holds a Bachelor degree in applied social studies in social care level 08 and a Master degree in Human rights and Criminal Justice level 09.
South-West & Mid-West
Anne O'Shea Clarke
Regional Manager
Anne joined Sage in October 2018 and is currently undertaking an Advanced Social Studies Course at Sallynoggin College, QQI Level 6 Information, Advice and Advocacy.
Anne has been an advocate in a personal capacity with Huntington’s Disease Association of Ireland (A neurological, hereditary, debilitating condition) for a number of years, being involved at community level, along with in hospital and Hospice settings. Anne has also worked together with the Neurological Alliance of Ireland and Mental Heath Ireland on an ongoing basis. She also worked as a Healthcare support worker in a Nursing Home in Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex in England and more recently on a voluntary basis in St Mary’s Hospital in the Phoenix Park working with vulnerable and older people.
Ann Roddy
Regional Advocate, Mid-West
Prior to joining Sage as a Regional Advocate, Ann worked for many years in a US financial services organisation as a project/product manager and led global technology teams. This work leveraged Ann’s original technology degree from UL. Ann has always been interested in politics, community and social justice issues and in recent years returned to education part time to pursue an MSc in Ageing and Public Policy from the University of Galway. This course gave Ann the foundation to switch careers into the NGO sector and to further her interest in improving services for Ireland’s older people. In a voluntary capacity, Ann sits on the board of a national migrant support charity and is involved in several local initiatives in her community that focus on health and community connection.
A believer in life-long learning, Ann also has qualifications in Change Management, Community Development and Sociology & Politics. Her research interests include Public and Patient Involvement (PPI), Digital Healthcare and Social Inclusion policy.
Laura Flynn
Regional Advocate, Cork
With six years of experience in the disability sector, Laura has been deeply committed to advocating for the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities. Holding a BA Honours degree in Health and Social Care from Open College Dublin, she brings both academic knowledge and practical experience to her role.
Her work focuses on empowering people to voice their rights and make informed decisions about their lives, ensuring that their will and preferences are always heard and respected. She is passionate about developing trusting relationships with clients, their families, and service providers to ensure they feel supported and understood. Throughout her career, she has worked to create an environment where vulnerable individuals are not only protected but also empowered to live independently and confidently. By fostering a culture of inclusivity and understanding, she strives to help those she works with navigate challenges, access resources, and ultimately thrive.
Lorraine Dolan
Regional Advocate, Mid-West
Lorraine graduated from Carlow College in 2001 having completed Applied Social Studies in Social Care. Lorraine commenced employment in the disability sector and following this spent many years in the area of High Support Residential Care in the Carlow/Kilkenny area.
Following this, Lorraine established the childcare service of the Amber Women’s Refuge in Kilkenny for Women and children affected by Domestic Violence. Lorraine completed training in a number of areas; Addiction Studies, Parenting facilitation, Auricular Acupuncture, which led to the implementation of alternative therapies in a number of settings within which Lorraine worked.
In 2008 Lorraine went on to establish a Family Support Project in Templemore for Tipperary Regional Youth Services. In 2015 Lorraine established the Youth Justice Project in Southill, Limerick, which still continues to enhance the lives of young people who have come to the attention of the law.
Following this Lorraine worked for a time on a consultancy basis with North Tipperary Community Services in developing and delivering a variety of programmes for both teenagers and parents around challenging issues that were impacting on their lives. Prior to commencing employment with Sage as Regional Coordinator for the Midwest, Lorraine was Family Carer Support Officer for Family Carers Ireland covering North Tipperary and Clare.
Mary McCarthy
Regional Advocate, South-West
Mary McCarthy is the Regional Advocate for West Cork. Armed with a Master’s degree in Health Promotion, Mary has dedicated her career to enhancing the wellbeing of seniors through community engagement, networking and working one-to-one with older adults. Mary recently completed a certificate in Advocacy through UCC.
Mary is passionate about Sage Advocacy’s motto of “Nothing about you, without you” and this guides her work. Whether engaging in workshops, advocating for policy changes, or fostering community partnerships, Mary’s commitment to older people’s health remains steadfast.
Michael Cahillane
Regional Advocate, South-West
Michael Cahillane is a highly experienced advocate and one of the longest-serving members of Sage Advocacy. With a strong background in advocacy, volunteer management, and systemic change, he has dedicated his career to safeguarding the rights and well-being of older adults and vulnerable individuals.
Prior to joining Sage Advocacy, Michael served as a Third Age Development Officer, where he played a pivotal role in recruiting, training, and supervising advocates while overseeing advocacy services across the Southwest region. His work involved close collaboration with key stakeholders to enhance the delivery of advocacy support and ensure best practices in care.
With extensive experience in communication and a deep understanding of systemic issues affecting vulnerable populations, Michael has led initiatives aimed at improving care services. Notably, he contributed to the development of community palliative care services in partnership with University College Cork (UCC).
Michael holds a qualification in Advocacy from the National College of Ireland and has pursued further studies at the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown, Dublin. In addition to his role at Sage Advocacy, he is an active member of the HSE Safeguarding Committee for CHO4, where he continues to champion the rights and welfare of those in need.
Patricia O'Dwyer
Regional Advocate, South-West
Prior to joining Sage Patricia was an independent Public Health Nursing Consultant and managed a number of projects ranging from a national review of the public health nursing service to the preparation of fitness to practise reports for the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and medico legal expert reports for the Courts. Patricia previously worked as a lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery University College Cork and spent 20 years working as a nurse in a variety of settings in a number of countries overseas.
Patricia is a registered general nurse, midwife, public health nurse and holds MSc Nurse Education (UCC) and a BCL (UCC).
Regina McCormack
Regional Advocate, South
Regina is a graduate of University College Cork and has past experience of working in both statutory and non-statutory settings. This includes working in the Disability Services, Family Support Services, and also the Social Work Department in a Medical Setting. Over the last 8yrs Regina has supported Survivors of Institutional Abuse & Trauma. This experience along with a passion to support the individual in a person-centered approach supports Regina’s overall approach to her work.
Research Interests: Trauma-Informed Social Work Practice: Understanding the concept of trauma and its effects on the individual throughout the lifespan.
Legal Support Unit
Martina Larkin
Legal Support Unit Lead
Martina Larkin is the Legal Support Unit Lead for Sage Advocacy.
Martina qualified as a solicitor in 2011 and after working in private practice
went on to work in the area of advocacy with the National Advocacy Service for
People with Disabilities and Focus Ireland. Prior to joining Sage Advocacy,
Martina had worked in a number of executive and leadership positions including
as the CEO of the Meath Foundation and the Head of Legal and Compliance with
Cheshire Ireland.
Martina has a particular interest and experience in human rights
and social justice and has focused her career to date in advancing those
causes. Of particular relevance to Sage Advocacy, Martina has expertise in the
Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) legislation and worked as member of the
Decision Support Service’s panel of Decision Making Representatives and
Visitors until joining Sage Advocacy.
Martina’s
skillset enables her to provide a human rights-based approach to her work,
effective leadership and the promotion and implementation of good governance.
Elaine Howard
ADM Court Reports Coordinator
Elaine Howard is part of the LSU and is the Coordinator of the ADM Court Reports for SA.
Elaine started her career as a member of An Garda Síochána, which she worked for nearly a decade.
Elaine then progressed into private practice, where she worked successfully as a Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapist for a number of years. Elaine then went on to work within the Homeless Sector, working for a time with the Disability Services as Team Lead and going on to manage a large residential service, for people who were experiencing homelessness and had complex and additional needs.
This career experience cemented Elaine’s passion for working with and for marginalised and vulnerable people. Elaine holds a BA in police studies, HDip in psychotherapy, HDip in Health Care Management, as well as qualifications in advanced CBT, Trauma Studies, Psychology and Sociology.
Support Team
Damian O'Farrell
Project Manager: Survivors of Institutional Abuse
Damian’s role is to lead, manage and coordinate the ongoing development of Sage Advocacy’s supports for survivors of institutional abuse and relationships with survivors and support groups, key funders and the Special Advocate.
Damian has long been an advocate for individual survivors of day-school and institutional abuse. He himself experienced sexual abuse in school and is acutely aware of the enduring trauma of childhood abuse in all its guises.
Damian used his previous roles as a City Councillor (2009-2024) and Special Advisor to a Government Cabinet Minister (Minister of Disabilities 2016 – 2020), to advocate on behalf of survivors both on an individual basis and/or group basis when he felt their pathways to justice were being blocked.
He has campaigned widely, for instance, on the injustice of the legal strategy adopted by the Christian Brothers regarding civil claims for historical child sexual abuse. He featured in an award winning RTE PrimeTime Documentary ‘Christian Brothers: Denial’ which ensued after an initial approach to RTE by Damian. The programme highlighted the legal anomalies in existence and the Law Reform Commission is presently reviewing this area of litigation. Seeking to advocate on behalf of survivors of day school abuse, Damian, in his role as a Special Advisor, petitioned and challenged the Government’s interpretation of the O’Keeffe V Ireland judgement of the European Court of Human Rights.
Additionally, as a result of a complaint made on behalf of survivors by Damian, a formal preliminary inquiry is currently being undertaken by a state institution into whether or not the rights of survivors, on a particular matter, were unlawfully subordinated.
Lara Gallagher
Information Systems & Compliance Lead
Lara began her career with an Irish multimedia startup
company where she developed her natural interest and ability in organisational
and technological systems as Officer Manager.
Since then, working in various frontline roles in the voluntary sector, Lara
found that her knowledge and skills in IT and Administration/Operations significantly
supported her work and progress towards management in non-profit organisations.
Lara’s previous work focused on social inclusion, improving
access to services, advocacy and support, community development and mental
health. Currently, as Information
Systems & Compliance Lead, Lara manages Sage Advocacy’s Salesforce CRM,
Microsoft Environment and ICT, and is the Complaints Officer and the Data
Protection Officer.
Lara holds a BA (Hons) Psychology from UCD, HDip Community
& Youth Work from NUI Maynooth, MSc Integrative Counselling &
Psychotherapy from DCU, and a post-graduate diploma in Adolescent Psychotherapy
from Blackfort Institute.
Fergal Graham
Information Systems Coordinator
Fergal graduated with a B.A (Hons) in Social Care from Waterford Institute of Technology in 2006 and has worked in different areas of social care since then.
Fergal has worked for a variety of organisations including Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, Focus Ireland and Caranua in the areas of residential childcare, supporting family carers, adult disability, housing support and institutional abuse.
Dr Michael Browne
Research & Policy
Michael Browne is author of a large number of research reports and discussion papers in a wide range of policy domains, including housing and health and social care services. He has written a number of reports for Sage Advocacy which have examined and critiqued the current architecture of long-term care in Ireland from a human rights perspective.
Michael has prepared reports for Safeguarding Ireland on the role of independent advocacy in ensuring that the voice of people with reduced decision-making capacity is heard by those charged with delivering health and social care services. Michael was lead researcher for the 2022 Safeguarding Ireland Report, Identifying Risks – Sharing Responsibilities: The Case for a Comprehensive Approach to Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults.
Michael is particularly interested in a human rights approach to policy relating to people who may be vulnerable because of reduced decision-making capacity. He is a strong advocate for the introduction of both safeguarding legislation, protection of liberty legislation and legislation in respect of independent advocacy practice in Ireland.
Thérèse McKenna
Information & Resources
Thérèse McKenna has a professional background in visual communications; in copywriting for non-profit campaigning, positioning, outreach and fundraising; and in newspaper journalism. Her primary degree is in Law. She has voluntary experience in an advice and advocacy role with the NI Refugee Support Service in Barnardos and the Marsh Trust awarded her as NI Volunteer of the Year 2022 for this work.
