Born in Dublin, I studied Psychology to Postgraduate level at UCD, before embarking on a career as a diplomat with Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). I worked as Irish government observer and a liaison for the families at the Bloody Sunday Inquiry in Derry and London. I also served as Deputy Head of Mission at Ireland's Embassy to Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar. While in that post I received an Exceptional Performance Award “in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the work of the Department” arising from his consular work following the 2004 tsunami.After working with the DFAT on community relations in Belfast from 2011-2014, I left the Irish government and permanently relocated to Belfast where I retrained as a mental health and disability advocate, first with the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health (now Inspire) as a volunteer, and then professionally with Action Ability Belfast. I next worked with the Pat Finucane Centre, where I advocated for victims, survivors, and families bereaved as a result of the recent conflict on the island of Ireland, and authored two books: 'The Impact of the Parachute Regiment in Belfast 1970-73' (2018); and 'UDR Declassified' (2022).Alongside this, I gained a Post Graduate Diploma in Trauma Studies with UCC. This, and my background in Psychology, provides a solid grounding for my volunteer work both as an online group facilitator in SMART Recovery and with Diabetes UK. I have lived with and managed my Type 1 Diabetes since I was 13 years old. I currently work as Campaigns Officer with RNIB Northern Ireland, working with and for blind and partially sighted people towards stimulating grassroots campaign activity, including among volunteers I manage. I also manage the organisation’s advocacy service. I also manage the organisation’s advocacy service and have responsibility for discrete policy areas, including the issue of rural transport poverty. I am able to work as a helpful and supportive colleague, in small teams requiring flexibility and interoperability, including when wider support is unavailable. I have a recognised ability to plan work effectively, collate, analyse and present information and to meet deadlines and goals, including in a high pressure environment.