Appointments to the Mental Health Commission:

The Minister of State for Mental Health, Mary Butler TD has appointed the following members to the Mental Health Commission.

Dr Mary Davoren

Dr Mary Davoren is a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist with the National Forensic Mental Health Service Ireland, and Clinical Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychiatry, Trinity College University of Dublin

She is a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist with responsibility for the High Dependency ward on the high security unit of the Central Mental Hospital Dublin, Ireland. She is Clinical Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychiatry Trinity College University of Dublin and she lecturers in Forensic Psychiatry University College Dublin (UCD). She is also a visiting Professor of Forensic Psychiatry at University of Bari Aldo Moro Italy. She is a member of the Medical Council of Ireland and currently Vice-President of the Medical Council of Ireland.

Dr Mary Davoren is nominated by the Irish Medical Council and appointed by the Minister for State for Mental Health with effect from 5 April 2025 until 4 April 2030.

Mr. Ian O’Grady

Mr. Ian O’Grady is a Principal Psychologist Manager in the HSE (Dublin, Kildare and West Wicklow). He has a strong background in mental health, primary care, psychological assessment, evidence-based therapy, and program leadership. He serves as a key member of national psychology expert groups, including CBT for Psychosis, Psychology training initiatives, and the Talking Therapies Model of Care Working Group. He previously worked as a Senior Counselling Psychologist in the HSE. He is a former President of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI).

Mr. Ian O’Grady is nominated by the Psychological Society of Ireland and appointed by the Minister of State for Mental Health with effect from 5 April 2025 until 4 April 2030.

Dr. Joanna Ralston

Dr. Joanna Ralston is a practising barrister with over 20 years’ experience. She completed a PhD in 2022, has published articles in peer reviewed journals and has practiced extensively in the area of capacity law. She worked as Assistant Lecturer in UCD School of Law between 2015 and 2022. Her particular areas of interest are family law, child law and mental health law. She also holds a degree in Commerce.

She is also a voluntary member of the Rights Review Committee of the Brothers of Charity, Munster Region, Lota, Cork.

Dr. Joanna Kelleher is appointed following a Public Jobs campaign and appointed by the Minister of State for Mental Health with effect from 5 April 2025 until 4 April 2030.