Campaign for Laois and Offaly domestic abuse refuges boosted by Ministerial appointment

Hopes that Laois and Offaly will finally get refuges for victims of domestic violence may have been boosted with confirmation of the membership of the new board of the recently formed  statutory agency dedicated to tackling and reducing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence

The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee announced the appointment of the Chair and members of the inaugural Board of Cuan on Friday April 5.

• The Department of Justice says the board members were appointed following an open and competitive process, and will report to the Minister for Justice. They are:
• Professor Caroline Fennell – Chair
• Sarah Benson
• Molly Buckley
• Denise Charlton
• Vivian Geiran
• Conor Hanly
• Claire Loftus

The appointment of Ms Buckley will be welcomed in the Midlands in particular in Laois and Offaly where there will be hopes that it may add impetus to efforts to set up refuges in both counties.

A Public Health Nurse by profession and has worked extensively in Community Development and Family Support Services.

A former Fine Gael councillor, Ms Buckley 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.

She holds a Masters’ Degree in Economics. She is the former CEO of the Irish Wheelchair Association. She is also Chairperson of Rights for the Elderly Voluntary Housing Association Ltd., and Chairperson of Power 4Good Ireland Ltd, working with people with a disability in Zambia. She is also a Board member of Pobal and HIQA and a member of the preliminary proceedings committees of both CORU and PSI.

The local authorities in both counties must work with Cuan in the provision of refuges. The murder of Aisling Murphy in Tullamore led to new political promises nationally that both counties would get safe places for victims. The promises have yet to be delivered by Government. 

Minister McEntee commented on the appointments.

“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.”

The Cuan CEO is 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.