Magical Christmas Decor & Gifts on sale in Tipperary
Chief Executive, Dr Karen Foley appointed as Chair of the NDSA
Stroke for Stroke
Charity Christmas Concert
How we're run
The people we serve are at the heart of all our work. It is so important to us that they receive the highest quality of support on their recovery journey, and so we hold ourselves to the very highest standards.
We have operational and governance processes in place to ensure that we work in an open and transparent manner. This also ensures that we comply with our statutory and legal responsibilities, and with the governance obligations of our funders.
We are governed by a Constitution and our independent, non-executive Board of Directors is committed to maintaining best practice in corporate governance, including adhering to the Charities Regulator Charities Governance Code.
Currently there are seven members of the Board, drawn from diverse backgrounds and bringing to their role a broad range of experience and skills, including significant expertise in business, finance and health and disability services. Together they are responsible for providing leadership, developing strategy, identifying and mitigating risk, and monitoring the budgets and outcomes of the organisation.
There are three Sub Committees of the Board, focusing on the areas of Remuneration; Finance and Audit; and Quality, Safety and Risk.
Our Strategy: Beyond Boundaries 2025-2029
We are proud to present Beyond Boundaries: our strategy for 2025-2029 which represents an ambitious vision for the future of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland and the people we serve.
At the heart of the strategy are three pillars: Access, Impact and Organisational Strength. These pillars reflect our unwavering commitment to extend our services while ensuring that we remain a strong, sustainable organisation that can meet the growing needs of the brain injury community in Ireland.
Board of Directors
Jim Mahon
Chair
Former Head of Finance at Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, Jim Mahon joined the Board of Directors in February 2024 and was appointed Chair in April 2025.
Jim first joined Acquired Brain Injury Ireland as Head of Finance in May 2022. Having worked in the accountancy profession, major retail, and having held senior positions in the pharmaceutical, education and hospitality sectors, Jim brings a depth and breadth of experience to the role from a career spanning over 30 years.
Dr Ann Coyle
Board Director
Ann has retired from the HSE following a long career encompassing Clinical, Administrative, Managerial and Strategic Planning roles across several divisions of the Health Services. These include Primary and Community Care, Mental Health, Older Persons Services and Health and Well Being.
She has also acted as Interim Lead for Quality and Safety in the Midlands Louth Meath Community Health Organisation. She has successfully led multi-disciplinary, integrated service initiatives across Primary Care and Hospital Services in the North East and has championed progressive models of care including new models of Nursing Home care and technology supports. She has also championed the introduction of service user advocacy services, safeguarding and social prescribing at a national and regional level.
Ann completed her PhD in 2014, focusing on the organisational barriers to Person-Centred Care within Public Residential Care Services for Older People. Ann’s interests include hill walking, travelling, current affairs and reading.
Colm Eustace
Board Director
Colm has 35 years’ experience working in the Irish Agribusiness industry. All these years were spent with Glanbia plc working with Glanbia Agribusiness, a former business unit of Glanbia plc. His final 12 years with Glanbia Agribusiness were as Chief Executive Officer, reporting to Group Managing Directors of Glanbia plc.
Colm holds a degree in Agricultural Science (Econ) from University College Dublin, an MBA from Dublin City University and Professional Diplomas in Corporate Governance, Business and Executive Coaching, Advanced Business and Executive Coaching, all from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.
He is currently Chairperson and Trustee of Irish Community Air Ambulance (I.C.A.A. trading as I.C.R.R.), non-executive director of Grassland Fertilisers Ltd., South-East Port Services Ltd., D. Walsh and Sons Ltd. and an accredited Business Coach and Mentor. Colm is married to his wife, Helen with a daughter, Ella.
Andy Heffernan
Board Director
Andy is currently the Chief Executive of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland having previously served as the National Secretary of the Society of St Vincent De Paul (SVP), which is one of the largest voluntary charitable organisations in Ireland.
Prior to his role at the SVP he was Chief Executive of St John of God Community Services, an organisation providing a range of services to those with learning disabilities and mental health issues across Ireland.
He served in the Defence Forces for 19 years, holding a range of training, command and staff appointments. He also served abroad, including three trips in the Middle East with the United Nations, Central Africa with Goal, and the Balkans with the European Union. Andy has a BSc from NUIG, an MSc from the University of Ulster and a certificate in Charity Law, Trusteeship and Governance from the Law Society of Ireland. His interests include current affairs, rugby and reading.
Tina Leonard
Board Director
Tina is a member of the European Institute of Public Relations and a graduate of TCD, UCD and UCC. She is also currently a member of the ICT, Digital and Data Committee of the Board of the Citizens Information Board.
Tina has over two decades experience in influencing through building evidence, awareness, brand and reputation. Known for communicating complex issues simply to a variety of audiences, she brings her rich and varied experiences to each project.
Tina is Communications Director at the Arts Council which she joined from Drury Communications in January 2023. Previously, at the Alzheimer Society of Ireland she led the policy, advocacy and public affairs work for eight years. Prior to that Tina fine-tuned her communications expertise while working as a consumer journalist and commentator across RTÉ Radio, TV, the Irish Independent and other titles. A published author, she was previously Executive Director of Ireland’s European Consumer Centre. She previously served on the Board of the Citizens Information Board and on the Board of the National Consumer Agency, the Central Bank’s Consumer Advisory Group and Safefood’s advisory committee.
Majella Cassidy
Board Director
Majella Cassidy is a senior Occupational Therapist working in the field of acquired brain injury and Dementia. Graduating from University of Brighton with an MSC in Occupational Therapy, she has worked predominately in the field of Stroke, TBI and neurological conditions.
Her first degree was in Social Care Practice after which she worked with young adults in residential care. Currently, she is working in the Cottage Hospital in Drogheda, Co. Louth as the Senior Occupational Therapist in Care of the Older Person clinic. Previous experience includes Acute Stroke, Stroke Rehab, Neuro rehab and palliative care. In September 2018, Majella had the unfortunate experience of having a stroke. Lucky enough to make a full recovery she now acts as a patient representative on the Acquired Brain Injury Ireland Research Ethics Committee. In addition to this, Majella has had the opportunity to present at various conferences and university courses as an advocate for the lived experience of having an Acquired brain Injury.
Lorraine McCarthy
Board Director
Lorraine has spent 25 years in financial services holding senior executive and board positions with large multinational entities. She was approved by Central Bank to hold several regulatory roles and in particular has added value to corporate governance, risk and compliance management.
She is a Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) and holds a Professional Diploma in Compliance (LCOI). Lorraine has completed the IOD Chartered Director Programme and also the Certified Investment Funds Director Programme.
She believes that ABI Ireland is making a significant contribution and is enthusiastic about being part of the Board of Directors.
Edel Creely
Board Director
Edel brings over 30 years of leadership experience in the ICT Services sector, shaped by a deep interest in innovation and business growth. As the founder and CEO of Trilogy Technologies, she successfully built the company into one of Ireland’s foremost Managed Services providers.
Today, Edel shares her wealth of knowledge through consultancy and independent non-executive director roles. She currently serves as Chair of the Board at IP Telecom, as a Non-Executive Director with Auxilion, and as an external member of the Enterprise Ireland Investment Committee. She has also contributed her expertise as a former non-executive director of the Marie Keating Foundation.
A long-standing champion of Ireland’s technology sector, Edel has played a key role on numerous industry advisory panels and previously chaired the Irish Software Association. She has also served as President, Chair, and Board Member of Ibec, and continues to contribute as a Trustee and Member of the Ibec National Council.
Edel holds an engineering degree from Trinity College Dublin and is also a classically trained violinist. A mother of three, Edel’s commitment to the Board of ABI was driven by the support her family received following her son’s AVM-induced stroke. Her lived experience brings a heartfelt connection to ABI’s mission.
Board Sub Committees
The Board has four Sub Committees focusing on the areas of Remuneration; Quality, Safety and Risk; and Finance and Audit and Strategy.
Remuneration Committee members 2025: Tina Leonard (Chair) , Jim Mahon
Quality, Safety and Risk Committee members 2025: Andrew Heffernan, Ann Coyle, Majella Cassidy
Finance and Audit Committee members 2025: Colm Eustace, Jim Mahon, Lorraine McCarthy.
Quality and Accreditations
CARF Accreditation
In 2003, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland became the first service provider in the Republic of Ireland to achieve CARF accreditation. CARF is the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Services. It is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that assesses the facilities and services of a wide range of rehabilitation providers globally. CARF accreditation is a prestigious and internationally recognised quality mark, signalling that the services we provide meet or exceed international best practice.
CARF accredits organisations in three-year blocks. In 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2021 and again in 2023, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland achieved the highest level of accreditation in acquired brain injury residential rehabilitation services, home and community rehabilitation services and governance standards. According to CARF: “This achievement is an indication of your organisation’s dedication and commitment to improving the quality of the lives of the persons-served”.
In 2018, we also received gold standard accreditation in recognition of our Case Management Service.
HIQA Registered
Acquired Brain Injury Ireland’s neuro-rehabilitation assisted living services are registered with the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and are monitored under the Health Act 2007 (Care and support of residents in designated centres for persons (children and adults) with disabilities) regulations 2013.
Policy Documents
We ensure the rights and responsibilities of the people we serve are upheld, both in policy and practise.
Don’t just take our word for it.
Effectiveness
98.7%
said our services ‘enabled me to do things better’
Responsiveness
94.4%
said ‘I got what I needed, when I needed it’
Informed Choice
95.6%
said they had the ‘opportunity to make important choices’
Respect
98.1%
said ‘I feel respected as a person’
Community
93.5%
said they ‘do better in social situations’
Safety
100%
said they ‘felt safe here’
Transparency and Accountability
Acquired Brain Injury Ireland is a member of the Charities Institute Ireland (CII) and proudly certified with the Triple Lock standard. The Triple Lock standard is available to members of the CII who deliver best practice in transparency and accountability, particularly in the areas of governance, fundraising and reporting. Triple Lock certification demonstrates that an organisation is strong, credible, well governed, that it implements quality work and does so in a way that respects the people for whom the organisation is founded.
Codes and Standards of Practice
We adhere to the following codes and standards of practice:
- Charities Regulator ‘Charities Governance Code’
- Statement of Recommended Practice for Charities – ‘SORP’
- Safeguarding Ireland ‘Adult Safeguarding Charter’
- The General Data Protection Regulations / GDPR (view our Privacy Statement)
