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)
As service administrator Mary is responsible for overseeing administrative systems for Sage. Prior to joining the organisation, Mary worked for Lisney in Property Management and Fixed Charge Receivership. She was also the Executive Assistant to the Managing Director.
Mary previously worked in financial services and has several years’ customer service and administration experience. She has participated in a number of mentor programmes and in research of the use of precision teaching in schools.
Paula Bruen
Financial Controller
TBA
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 the positions of Information and Support Assistant, Regional Advocate for Dublin South East and Wicklow, Greater Dublin Area Regional Manager and now Regional Manager Dublin South East and the South East and Dublin South West and the Midlands.
As Regional Manager, Lisa is responsible for supporting Regional Advocates to operate effectively and efficiently in their casework and local development work, through the direct provision of ongoing support and supervision, and through ensuring proper safeguarding and good case management regionally and nationally.
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.
Fergal Graham
Information, Support & Advocacy 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.
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
Dublin & North-East + West & North-West
Jamie Sherlock
Regional Manager
Jamie worked with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland for sixteen years holding a number of roles within Operations and Learning and Development.
Jamie began her career here as a frontline worker providing dementia specific care in the home to people living with dementia enabling them to live at home within their communities for as long as possible.
Following on from this Jamie managed the daily operations of a number of services including Home Care, Day Care, Alzheimer Cafes and Social Clubs across Dublin, Meath and Westmeath.
Alongside her service manager roles Jamie also worked as an in house Tutor with the Learning and Development team delivering dementia specific training to staff across the country from frontline to senior management.
Just prior to commencing with Sage, Jamie was the National Community Engagement Manager with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland responsible for driving the new community Engagement strategy within Ireland through education and awareness. This involved working with schools, government bodies, non profits and other organisations to deepen our communities understanding of dementia.
Jamie holds a Business Finance degree from University College Cork and The Irish Management Institute, and is a qualified Tutor.
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 honors Law Degree from the University of Galway and has recently undertaken a level 9 Masters in Law, specialising 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.
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 Foley began as an Information, Support and Advocacy Coordinator with Sage Advocacy and is now a Regional Advocate.
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.
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.
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 has over twelve years of experience working closely with older adults.
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.
Strong Advocacy Skills: Mary is a passionate advocate for older adults’ rights and quality of life. She uses her background in Health Promotion to empower this demographic.
Community Networking: Mary exceeds at connecting people, organisations, and resources. This has led to impactful collaborations enhancing the life of older adults.
Health Promotion Expertise: Mary understands the unique needs of older individuals and tailors her strategies accordingly.
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
Prior to joining Sage, Michael was an Advocate in West Kerry Community Hospital and the Development Officer for the Third Age National Advocacy Programme in Kerry. He was responsible for the planning, development and delivery of the advocacy service to those living in residential care. Michael worked with Nursing Homes, Health Service Executive (HSE), Health Information Authority (HIQA), and other relevant agencies to ensure the successful provision of the service.
Michael has a strong background in the voluntary sector, working with volunteers in a variety of projects. Michael studied Advocacy at the National College of Ireland and at The Institute of Technology Blanchardstown, Dublin.
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 a solicitor who most recently worked as the CEO of The Meath Foundation, a charity that supports world class research, education, quality improvement, innovation and arts at Tallaght University Hospital. Martina has a particular interest and experience in human rights and advocacy having not only worked as an advocate with the National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities but also as an executive manager of Cheshire Ireland, a HSE funded charity that provides services and support to people with disabilities. She continues in the role of Company Secretary to Cheshire Ireland and serves on the Governance Sub Committee of Charities Institute Ireland.
Of particular relevance to Sage Advocacy, Martina has expertise in the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) legislation and she works as member of the Decision Support Service’s panel of Decision Making Representatives and Visitors.
Martina’s skillset enables her to provide a human rights-based approach to her work, a sound understanding of good governance and a commitment to promoting and following due process.
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
Lara has worked in the voluntary and community sector for almost 20 years as a Project Worker with Tallaght Intercultural Action, Dublin AIDS Alliance and then the SAOL Project. Her work focused on social inclusion, improving access to services, advocacy and support, and community development.
Becoming an accredited psychotherapist in 2013, Lara held a Clinical Coordinator position in Living Life Counselling Centre where she carried out initial assessments with clients and managed volunteer counsellors.
Lara holds a BA (Hons) Psychology from UCD, HDip Community & Youth Work from NUI Maynooth and MSc Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy from DCU.
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.
