Meet the team

Eve is one of the founding members of A.S.S.C. and serves as Chairperson on its Board of Management. She has an Honours Degree in Psychology (DBS), a Masters in Criminology (DIT) and a Masters in Management (Michael Smurfit Business School). Eve has also achieved academic Diplomas in Strategic Business Management (IBAT) and Data Protection Law (Honourable Society of Kings Inn’s).

Eve has 14 years’ experience working with victims of crime in the field of Child Sexual Abuse. She has particular expertise in the area of child victims as witnesses for the State in criminal trials. She spent five years in Complaints and Investigations at the Ombudsman for Children’ Office, examining complaints and overseeing governance standards in line with legal and policy-based frameworks. She served as Lead Facilitator Coordinator for OCD Ireland which ran support groups for people living with OCD, Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Trichotillomania.

She has volunteered as a facilitator working directly with prisoners through the AVP Project, a project that runs workshops in conflict resolution and restorative practices with prisoners. She worked as a Prison Inspector with the Office of Inspector of Prisons conducting inspections of Irish prisons against Human Rights standards. She currently works as the Assistant Probate Officer with The Courts Service.

Gillian is from Galway and is the DSGBV (Domestic Sexual Gender Based Violence) Trustee for A.S.S.C, having previously served as the Company Secretary. Prior to this she also volunteered as a Forensic Accompaniment Worker in the Child and Adolescent Sexual Assault Unit in Galway for 2.5 years.

She has over 17 years of experience directly working with, leading and managing services that support individuals with Intellectual Disability, Acquired Brain Injury, Forensic Issues, Autism, Mental Health needs, Dual Diagnoses & Complex Needs. Gillian has a particular interest in the experiences of people with disabilities in the Criminal Justice System and is a strong advocate for the provision of appropriate systems and strategies to support those people and has had her paper published in the Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies: “Supports for Offenders with Learning Disabilities in the Irish Judicial System: A Critical Review”. She was invited to Prague to deliver workshops and seminars raising awareness on disability, autism, child sexual abuse and the criminal justice system. Gillian is also a Guest Lecturer in University College Cork on their Psychology of Criminal Behaviour course.

Sheila is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland and has a Bachelor of Business Studies from DCU. She has over 20 years’ experience in financial management, strategy, organisational change, corporate governance, compliance and controls.

Sheila is currently employed as Chief Financial Officer for the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland where she has responsibility for strategic and financial planning, business development, treasury management, compliance and regulation. She is also responsible for the HR function and has a broad knowledge of employment law. Sheila has previously served as Finance Director in RTÉ and has vast experience in the not-for-profit sector.

Sheila serves on the Board of Management of A.S.S.C. as Financial trustee and is Chair of the A.S.S.C. Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) where she advises on best practices in financial reporting and controls, compliance and regulatory matters. The ARC also has oversight of finances and cashflow to advise the Board on budget planning and management.

Rebecca is Director of Enforcement, Legal and Anti-Money Laundering at the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. Prior to this she was Director of Criminal Enforcement at the Corporate Enforcement Authority. From 2020 – 2023 she served as Director of Research at the Law Reform Commission of Ireland, a statutory body whose mission is to keep the law of Ireland under independent, objective and expert review. From 2008 to 2020 she was a senior prosecutor at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). There she led a varied case-load of complex indictable prosecutions, including sexual offences, homicide, organised crime and terrorism, with an emphasis on sexual offending against children. Prior to that she was Deputy Head of the Prosecution Policy Unit at the DPP.

Rebecca qualified as a barrister in 2005. She holds postgraduate qualifications from University College Cork and from the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. She is the author of a book on the powers of An Garda Síochána (Garda Powers: Law and Practice, Clarus Press, 2014) and co-author of a book on criminal litigation (Criminal Litigation, 4th ed., Oxford University Press, 2016). She is a member of the Board of Directors of Rape Crisis Ireland and has delivered extensive specialist training to police, prosecutors and regulatory agencies both in Ireland and internationally.

Lynette is a founding member of Accompaniment Support Services for Children (A.S.S.C.) and is the organisation’s Co-Executive Director, Finance & Governance. Her responsibilities include ensuring excellent governance standards and liaising and reporting to the Board of Trustees. She also has oversight of  A.S.S.C.’s finances. Lynette provides external training to stakeholders on topics such as child safeguarding, the impact of trauma, child victims of crime, and on tools to help safeguard professionals working with the effects of trauma.

Lynette has been an advocate for child victims of crime – specialising in child witness, child safeguarding, and child sexual abuse – for over 12 years and initially worked with CARI. Lynette has expertise in supporting young people and their families when the young person is due to testify in a criminal trial, particularly in voicing the young person’s rights through the Victims of Crime Act 2017 and other relevant legislation in Ireland.

Before working in the charity sector, Lynette gained qualifications in Professional Cookery (NTCB) from DIT, Cathal Brugha Street and worked as a professional chef. She later retrained as a mature student and obtained a first-class Honours Degree in Psychology Applied to Information Technology (IADT). She began working with CARI in 2012 through a Community Employment Scheme and progressed to become the court accompaniment support service manager. After this, Lynette co-founded A.S.S.C. and aims to establish it as a leading victim support organisation for all young people and families in Ireland. She is trauma-informed trained.

Lynette was diagnosed with dyslexia as a young person, and she considers this to be a core strength in her approach and applications in her professional life. She believes such diagnoses can lead to unique core skills, such as tackling issues from differing perspectives. She feels that such neurodiversity should be embraced as a true skill instead of a disability.

Furthermore, Lynette completed the “New Frontiers” entrepreneurial training program with Enterprise Ireland in 2022 and earned a Professional Diploma from UCD in Finance for Non-Financial Managers in 2023.

Lynette was appointed to the Board of Directors for Carmichael House in June 2024.

Grace is one of the founding members of A.S.S.C. and serves as Co-Executive Director, Service Delivery & Development. Grace is responsible for the smooth running of A.S.S.C. services on a national level, while adhering to best practice and policy implementations. Grace supports and leads the A.S.S.C. team with a strategic focus, team building approach, while encouraging a self-care practice throughout the organisation. Grace’s role also involves engaging with A.S.S.C.’s stakeholders and similar agencies with an open and supportive approach.

Grace had previously worked with Le Chéile Mentoring Services as Dublin North Coordinator. There she worked closely with the probation services to support young offenders, through mentoring and other service provisions. Grace initially volunteered with Le Chéile as a mentor for young offenders and their parents/guardians, for more than four years, before she was employed by them.

Grace also previously worked with CARI (Children at Risk Ireland) as Forensic Accompaniment Volunteer Manager for over 10 years. The role involved managing and supporting staff as well as over 60 volunteers nationally, with extensive insight and experience in recruiting, training, and the supervision of volunteers on a national level.

Grace has over 25 years’ experience working with victims of crime in the field of Child Sexual Abuse and was involved in the initial development of the first child accompaniment service within the sexual assault treatment units in Ireland, under CARI. Initially established in Galway as CASATS (Child & Adolescent Sexual Assault Treatment Services), the services expanded to SATU Rotunda, Dublin.

Grace works closely with Barnahus West and implemented the A.S.S.C. Youth Advocate programme, which has been validated in Barnahus West, Galway.

Grace sits on a number of professional working groups:

• Barnahus Working Group
• Liaison Committee meetings with SATU (Sexual Assault Treatment Unit) Rotunda, Dublin
• Multi-disciplinary meetings with CASATS (Child & Adolescent Sexual Assault Treatment Services) Galway
• CEO Support Forum with Carmichael House

Grace holds a first-class Honours Degree in Psychology (DBS) and an M.A. in Criminology (DIT). Grace has also achieved academic Diplomas in Family Law and Child Psychology & Development, Children and Loss, and has undertaken further extensive trainings in volunteer management. Grace is Trauma Informed trained, has completed Positive Psychology training and much more in line with her role.

Fiona is the National Volunteer Coordinator with A.S.S.C., bringing over ten years’ experience working within the criminal justice system.

Throughout her career, Fiona has been committed to supporting and developing volunteers, recognising the vital role they play in delivering compassionate, person-centred services. After taking time out to focus on family, she was proud to return to the workforce and continue my work in volunteer coordination at a national level.

In her role, she was dedicated to ensuring volunteers feel supported, valued and equipped to provide a safe, respectful and empathetic service to the young people and families A.S.S.C. works with. Fiona also acts as the organisation’s Deputy Designated Liaison Person (DDLP), supporting best practice in safeguarding and child protection.

Fiona holds a bachelors degree in psychology and a Masters degree in Addiction Studies, which inform my understanding of trauma, advocacy and the needs of individuals and families navigating complex systems.

Fiona is passionate about contributing to a child-centred, trauma-informed approach that upholds dignity and promotes positive experiences within the criminal justice system.

Karen Keaveney is the National Service Coordinator for A.S.S.C., coordinating Forensic and Court Support and Advocacy services, along with Court Accompaniment outside Dublin. She maintains an in-person presence in the courts, providing active support to young service users and guidance for volunteers. Karen is driving the expansion of A.S.S.C.’s court accompaniment services throughout Ireland. Karen is A.S.S.C.’s Designated Liaison Person (DLP), supporting best practice in safeguarding and child protection.

Karen has over eight years of experience working directly with children and families. Karen joined Children at Risk in Ireland (CARI) in 2018 as a Court Accompaniment Officer, providing onsite support for young people giving testimony in criminal trials. She volunteered with A.S.S.C. as a phone support worker, serving families of young people engaged in the criminal justice system, from 2020 until taking our National Service Coordinator role in 2022.

Karen has an integrated approach to well-being, with an interest in understanding trauma and the science behind well-being. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Nutraceuticals in Health & Nutrition, a PGCert in Understanding Conflict, Mediation Theory and Practice, and an ITEC Dip. in Anatomy and Physiology, Advanced Dip. in Child Psychology and is a qualified and experienced Holistic Therapist. She has a Diploma in Traumatology and PTSD and has undertaken Designated Liaison Officer training.

Karen is up to date with the current training in Children First (Tusla), Child Protection, Trauma Informed Response, Suicide & Self-harm prevention and Sex-trafficking.

Cristín McKenna is the Court Accompaniment Officer (CAO) with A.S.S.C. and is primarily based in the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) in Dublin. The role provides court accompaniment support to any child/ young person who is witness to crime. The role is child-focused, which entails providing onsite support and advocacy for young people and their families.

Cristín holds a Bachelor of Science in Computing and Multimedia and a CGMA professional qualification in Accountancy. Having spent almost 20 years working as an accountant in financial services and practice, Cristín decided to follow her passion and completed a Higher Diploma in Arts in Psychology. Progressing to a MSc in Applied Psychology at Trinity College in 2024. Cristín is also trauma-informed trained.

Cristín, volunteered with AWARE as a facilitator for their life skills online programme. She also volunteered with A.S.S.C., as a Court Accompaniment Officer from 2023. Cristín was then employed by A.S.S.C as CAO, in 2025 and looks forward to expanding her experience, the role and the accompaniment services for children.

Tara joined A.S.S.C. in October 2023 and is the Support and Advocacy Officer for the Dublin region. Her role involves supporting young people and their families through the Support & Advocay Phone service. Tara also provides court accompaniment to young people and their families.

Tara previously owned her own playschool and Montessori for over 10 years and holds a degree in Montessori studies, with a particular focus on children with additional needs.

Tara has a background in direct provision, working with young people and their families dealing with cultural issues and racism. She also worked in the area of homelessness, dealing with people who had complex needs.

Tara has also trained with Banardos in the area of children coming from countries of conflict as well as suicide prevention. Tara has also completed trauma informed training.

She attended Maynooth University where she studied sociology and social policy and now holds a double major in Social Science bachelor’s degree.

Tara’s area of interest is in children with additional needs, having many years of experience in this area, including Autism, ADHD, ADD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia Anxiety, Depression, and overall mental health. Tara has also volunteered with Childline, Cycle Against Suicide, and Teen Line.

Tara is up to date with the current training in Children First (Tusla), Child Protection, Trauma Informed Response, Suicide & Self-harm prevention. Tara is attending University College Cork in September 2024 to study Advocacy – Continuing Professional Development Certificate.

Sylvia joined A.S.S.C. in October 2024. She supports families of young persons who have attended a sexual assault treatment unit and the families of injured parties and witnesses called to give evidence in court.

Sylvia has over 10 years experience working with victims of crime. She worked as a development and research officer with the Rape Crisis Center (Northwest region) as well as serving as a Board member. She volunteered as a helpline and research officer for DVAS (Domestic Violence Advocacy Service), Sligo.

Sylvia coordinated the’ Turn off the Red Light’ Campaign on behalf of both the RCC and DVAS. She also coordinated the Consent Education Programme for Galway Rape Crisis Center.

Sylvia completed her internship at the Victims’ Unit in the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) where she supported the victims at the first trial of the Khmer Rouge. Sylvia completed her second internship as part of the legal team in the Victims and Witness Unit at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.

Sylvia holds a Masters degree in English and Psychology, University of Constantine in Nitra, Slovakia, and a Masters in International Human Rights Law, University of Galway. She is currently undertaking a PhD in International Human Rights Law at the University of Galway.

Sylvia is up to date with the current training in Children First (Tusla), Child Protection, Trauma-Informed Response, Trauma-Informed Practice under Pressure and Suicide & Self-harm Prevention.