Meet the Board
If you wish to contact our board, please email secretary@downsyndrome.ie with the name of the member you wish to contact in the subject line.
Gerard O’Carroll
President Down Syndrome Ireland
Gerard has many years of service on boards in the disability, education, health and charity sectors. This experience in governance, mediation and service coordination also involved a position on the board of a national charity undergoing major restructuring and reorganisation. He has been an active member of the Kerry branch for almost twenty years. Roles include secretary, education and therapy coordinator. Since joining the board, he has contributed to a new strategic plan and a new constitution that is essential for the future of DSI as a national charity. Gerard’s son has benefited throughout his life from DSI initiatives at branch and national level. It is Gerard’s wish that all people with Down syndrome could do likewise.
Directors
Sylvaine Ni Cheallachain
National Secretary
Sylvaine served for 7 years on the committee of Down Syndrome Dublin, from 2012 to the end of 2019. She served as branch secretary, taking minutes in meetings, answering members’ queries, liaising with the National Office, writing regular newsletters to members informing them of events and managing the social media. In 2013, she created a Facebook group for parents and guardians of children and adults with Down syndrome, to give them a place to share experiences and information in a supportive, private space. As a parent of a teenager with Down syndrome, she believes that she brings a level of understanding of the challenges faced by children with Down syndrome, in terms of education, lack of services and varying medical challenges.
Paul Radford
Director
Paul Radford has served in various committee roles and as Chair of the Louth/Meath branch of DSI. Paul is a National Service Manager with a large automotive group.
Margaret Quane
Director
Margaret is a Human Resources professional and has built up a particular specialism in learning and development roles and, more recently, in career & executive coaching. Since 2021, Margaret has run her own coaching business. Margaret is based in Cork and has a family member with Down syndrome.
Fionn Crombie Angus
Director
Fionn is a founder and employee of Fionnathan Productions which works in the field of Human Rights, Social Inclusion, Disability Independence / Interdependence, and Advocacy. His family has long-standing DSI involvement. Fionn advocated on a number of initiatives, including the UK’s Down Syndrome Act 2022. He has been a prominent spokesperson for related causes and a Decision Support Service ‘Champion’. He has chaired and participated on a number of councils, working groups and advisory panels. Fionn is based in Galway.
Wayne O’Connor
Director
Wayne is a qualified accountant and is a senior member of a leading, global management consulting organisation. Wayne has a long running relationship with Down Syndrome Ireland and more recently has worked closely with the leadership team to support a number of key initiatives including ministerial engagement, training, planning and the Purple Run. Wayne is based in Dublin and has a family member with Down syndrome.
Martina Kelly
Director
Martina is a retired Civil Servant with a broad range of experience in the educational sector, including as a secondary school Principal. She is also a workplace mediator. Martina is a parent of an adult with Down syndrome.
Martyn Rosney
Director
Martyn is a Partner at Reputation Inc, a leading international consultancy with a focus on corporate and organisational reputation management across various sectors and geographies. His expertise areas include strategic issues and crisis advice, stakeholder engagement and corporate leadership advisory. Martyn is the Country Lead for Ireland with the European Association of Communications Directors and a Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland. From Kerry, Martyn is based in Dublin.
Garry Doyle
Director
Garry is an accomplished Managing Director and Board Member with nearly 30 years of expertise in the retail and utilities sectors. Holding senior roles in sales, operations, and commercial management in some of Ireland’s best known companies, Garry has a proven track record in leadership, people management and achieving financial targets. Garry is based in Co. Wicklow.
Karin Lanigan
Director
Karin has over 20 years executive level experience in operations and customer relationship management, strategy development and implementation, as well as in the areas of learning and development, recruitment, career coaching and employability support. She has over 17 years’ experience working in a membership organisation. She is an enthusiastic ED&I advocate and has been involved in leading the delivery of a wide range of events, activities and initiatives to help increase awareness and drive change.