Andrew Fagan ( Chair) is the Director of Child Safeguarding and Protection for the Archdiocese of Dublin. Andrew qualified as a social worker in Queens University Belfast and undertook post-graduate studies in child protection in Trinity College Dublin. Prior to taking up his current post in 2010, Andrew worked for thirty or so years as a practitioner, manager and inspector of children’s services both in the Republic and in Northern Ireland.
Bishop Denis Brennan was born in Enniscorthy. He was ordained in 1970 at St Peter’s College, Wexford. He was appointed to the House of Missions in 1970 and Administrator of St Senan’s Parish, Enniscorthy from 1986 until his appointment as parish priest of Taghmon in 1997. He served as Vicar Forane for Wexford Deanery and as diocesan delegate charged with child protection. He was ordained Bishop of Ferns in 2006.
Bernadette Fahy B.A. M.Sc., is a Counselling Psychologist. She is the author of Freedom of Angels, a memoir of her childhood in Goldenbridge Industrial School. She is an advocate for former residents of Institutional Abuse, a co-founder of the Aislinn Centre and has served on several Boards in the interest of former residents. Bernadette has conducted research on ‘the Role of Counselling in the lives of people raised in Care’ and in consultation with Marie Keenan of U.C.D. and Facing Forward, co authored Sexual Trauma and Abuse: Restorative and Transformative Possibilities. Bernadette recently completed a three year course in Family History / Genealogy at U.C.D.
Sr. Liz Murphy RSM is a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy, Southern Province, Ireland. A native of Co Carlow, Liz has taught at primary, post-primary and third levels. A Doctor of Psychology, with Masters degrees in Adult & Community Education and Executive Leadership she has vast experience of working with religious congregations and NGOs nationally and internationally, over many years, guiding and training leadership teams, facilitating Chapters, Assemblies and Conferences. She served as Provincial Leader of the Sisters of Mercy Southern Province from 2007-2013.
Joseph McDonagh has a background in Information Technology, Management, Counselling and Psychosexual Therapy. He currently practices as a clinical supervisor and a spiritual director. Joseph serves on a number of religious community committees and was the victim support person in the Dublin Diocese Child Safeguarding office for ten years. He is married and lives in Dublin
Hugh Lagan is the most recent addition to the Oversight Committee (March 2020). Hugh is a priest with the Society of African Missions and a registered Clinical Psychologist. He has held various ministry appointments in East and Southern Africa, including pastoral, formation, clinical, education and safeguarding responsibilities. He has lead workshops internationally on psychological and spiritual well-being, positive mental health, trauma and resilience.