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Press release

Minister McEntee announces establishment of the Board of Cuan

The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee today announced the appointment of the Chair and members of the inaugural Board of Cuan, An Ghníomhaireacht um Fhoréigean Baile, Gnéasach agus Inscnebhunaithe.

Cuan is the statutory agency under the remit of the Department of Justice dedicated to tackling and reducing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The new Board Members, who were appointed following an open and competitive process, and who will report to the Minister for Justice are:

  • Professor Caroline Fennell – Chair
  • Sarah Benson
  • Molly Buckley
  • Denise Charlton
  • Vivian Geiran
  • Conor Hanly
  • Claire Loftus

Commenting on the calibre of those appointed, and on the experience they will bring to this important role, Minister McEntee said:

“I am delighted that people with such experience and knowledge have been appointed to the Board. In supporting Cuan to deliver on its functions, their commitment and contribution will be a key element to driving real and positive change for victims and survivors and for society more broadly.

"The Board will provide strategic direction and promote high standards of corporate governance. The collective expertise and dedication to excellence of its members will be invaluable and I am confident that they will guide Cuan wisely as it continues to develop and implement innovative approaches to preventing DSGBV, supporting victims and survivors and promoting awareness and education.

"The appointment of the CEO, and now the establishment of the Board, have given us a real opportunity to drive the delivery of the third, and subsequent, national strategies and ensure Ireland stands out internationally as having Zero Tolerance for all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.”

Today’s announcement marks a significant step forward in the strategic leadership and corporate governance of the new Agency, following the appointment in February of the CEO, Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe.

The appointments are effective from 4 April 2024 and, in the interests of future continuity, members are appointed for a period of either three or four years.

Notes

In line with good governance and practice, the legislation establishing Cuan provides for a board which includes a chairperson and six ordinary members with various experience in domestic, sexual and gender based violence matters, governance, public management, and other matters relevant to the functions of the Agency.

The functions of the Board include:

  • providing strategic direction to the Agency
  • promoting high standards of corporate governance in the Agency
  • advising, or making recommendations to, the Minister in relation to the policies of the Minister and the government relating to or affecting the functions of the Agency
  • adopting the annual report

Board members bios

Professor Caroline Fennell

Caroline is Professor Emerita of Law at University College Cork. She is currently a Commissioner of An Coimisiún Toghcháin and served as a Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission from 2018 to 2023. She was a founder member of the Board of Women's Studies and MA in Women's Studies in UCC, and founder member and co-Director of the Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights (2006-8). Caroline has published widely on issues relating to gender, due process and evidence/criminal justice.

Sarah Benson

Sarah Benson is CEO of Women’s Aid since 2019. For nine years prior to this role, Sarah was the Chief Executive Officer with Ruhama.

Molly Buckley

Molly is a Public Health Nurse by profession and has worked extensively in Community Development and Family Support Services. Molly is a founding member of Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service (ODVSS) where she has been Chairperson for 20 years and is also a Member of the Mental Health Tribunal.

Denise Charlton

Denise is Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland and was previously CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland and Director of Women’s Aid.

Vivian Geiran

Vivian is a social worker and Adjunct Assistant Professor and lecturer (Criminology & Probation) on the MSW and BSS programmes at Trinity College Dublin. He served as Director of the Probation Service from 2012 to 2020.

Conor Hanly

Conor is a College Lecturer/Assistant Professor of Law at University of Galway, where his primary academic interest is in the field of criminal law and especially the issue of sexual and domestic violence. He is on the Board of the Galway Rape Crisis Centre.

Claire Loftus

Claire is a solicitor and retired public servant who served a ten-year term as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for Ireland.

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