Independent Living Movement Ireland

Our Board

Des Kenny

ILMI Chairperson

I am deeply appreciative of the invitation to join the board of ILMI where I hope my experience will add to the commitment and talents of the existing members in furthering the vision and values of an organisation pivotal in shaping the new inclusive future for persons with disabilities to be won through the interpretations and application of the articles of the UNCRPD.

I am now enjoying an active life following my retirement from my post as Chief Executive Officer of the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) in mid-2014. This retirement came after 28 years at the helm of Ireland’s premier agency working with blind and low vision people. Prior to joining NCBI, I had headed up the Union of Voluntary Organisations for the Handicapped (operating under a more appropriate title today of “the Disability Federation of Ireland”). I came to that role in 1980 from the National League of the Blind of Ireland (NLBI). In the NLBI I held the post as general secretary of this specialist trade union responsible for the employment conditions of people working in the sheltered workshops for the blind and for persons working in the public service in the designated occupation of “blind telephonist”. I enjoyed an activist learning relationship with trade union leaders of individual unions and of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

I have been fortunate to have contributed to policy development and organised lobbying during the near-50 years of continuous employment from the time I left the special residential school for the blind in Dublin which I had attended after a childhood accident left me blind

I have been a board member of the National Rehabilitation Board, the Combat Poverty Agency, and served two four-year terms on the National Disability Authority (NDA). I was a founder member of the Not for Profit Business Association and chairman for some years prior to my retirement. I hold an MSC-Econ in health care management and hold an MBA from the Open University.

I have published two volumes of poetry: “My Sense of Blind” and “Past Tense” These slim volumes are available in paper and Kindle versions from Amazon. I also publish my poems and write literary critiques on www.wordgathering.com (an online journal publishing writers with disabilities and advancing our inclusion into mainstream publishing.

Eileen Davis

ILMI Secretary

I have lived in Dublin since 1994. I am a Guidance Counsellor and Life/Career Coach and lecturer. I have been a member of the National Council for Special Education since 2019, having commenced my second term in 2023. I have worked in Further/Higher Education supporting students, teachers, and management since 2002 and my role has evolved over time. I have witnessed how positive education experiences have the power to transform lives. Incorporating the student voice and the lived experience of disabled people into policy and practice is one of the core principles of transformative practice. I have specific interest in supporting disabled people to transition from education to employment. I feel that the input of DPO’s is critical to bring about systemic and sustainable change.

I am a part-time lecturer, teaching the module on Supporting students with Additional Educational Needs on the Professional Diploma in Education, (Further Education) in Marino Institute of Education since January 2022.

I have been involved in activism and the Disability Rights movement since the mid 1990’s. I am delighted to have joined the board and I’m looking forward to contributing to and guiding the growth of the organisation.

Seònaid Ó Murchadha

I am a triple amputee, full-time wheelchair and prosthetic user. From founding Amputee Disability Federation Ireland in 2004 to working with many organisations (ILO, EU and OECD) to promote the greater inclusion of disabled people in the workplace, I’ve always been passionate about advocacy and our rights.

I have worked in HR in the Rehab Group; and with the Association for Higher Education Access & Disability on their workplace placement programme, where I supported employers to recruit disabled graduates and advised disabled students on securing work. I managed the successful pilot initiative, the Employer Disability Information service advising employers on the recruitment, management and retention of disabled people. Recently, I was working with Dublin City University’s Centre of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion helping organisations with diversity and inclusion.

I have regularly featured in national media highlighting the abilities of disabled people; I presented the RTE 1 TV programme Three60 and presented Outside the Box on RTE radio 1.

I am proud to represent ILMI on the Comprehensive Employment Strategy (for the Employment of Persons with Disabilities) Implementation Group and would greatly appreciate your vote to continue to advocate for our rights to access work and training.

Aoife McNicholl

My name is Aoife McNicholl and I am a disabled woman and wheelchair user. I am currently completing my PhD in psychology in DCU and lecture on the psychology programme in a number of areas such as research methods, psychology illness and disability and philosophy of psychology.

My research interests include assistive technology, disability and identity. On completing my PhD I hope to gain employment in the area of academia. I am delighted to have joined the board this year and look forward to promoting and guiding the growth of the organisation. I am passionate about disability activism and recently graduated from ILMI’s ‘Strategies for Change’ programme.

I firmly believe in the social model of disability and working towards a society where the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disability is truly implemented in Ireland.

Amy Begley

Amy (Viola) Begley is a disabled activist, graphic designer, and illustrator with a passion for Universal Design and accessible communication. Based in County Cork, Amy has worked with organisations including Cork ETB, Connections Arts Centre, Cope Foundation (Horizons), and Ability@Work, using her creative skills to promote inclusion and ensure information is accessible—particularly for people with visual processing differences like dyslexia. Through Erasmus+, Amy travelled across Europe advocating for disabled artists and building collaborations that celebrate creativity and access. She believes in breaking down barriers while also recognising and embracing the positive aspects of being disabled. Whether it’s through animation, illustration, or advocacy, Amy is committed to sharing her knowledge and amplifying the voices of disabled people through collective action.

Ann Marie Healy

Ann Marie Healy is a long-standing disabled activist with a powerful voice and a deep commitment to equality and human rights. She brings a wealth of experience to the ILMI Board and is known for her generous spirit, sharp insight, and tireless work to ensure that no one is left behind.

Ann Marie has been actively involved in lobbying Government on key issues such as Personal Assistance, Housing, and Transport. She is especially passionate about the right to Independent Living and the critical importance of real, rights-based Personal Assistant services.

She currently serves as Secretary of Mayo DPO, a vibrant, growing Disabled Persons Organisation in the West and previously served on the Boards of The Wheel and Arthritis Ireland. She is also on the Strategic Planning Group of TFI Local Link Mayo.

Ann Marie is a published author and holds qualifications in Disability Studies and Training and Development. She gives her time generously and is never afraid to speak up and speak out. She always brings a wide, systems-level understanding to the movement for change.

As a member of the ILMI Board, Ann Marie is focused on the full implementation of the UNCRPD in Ireland and working to ensure equal opportunities for disabled people in every part of life.

Michael Meere

Michael is 45 years old and is from County Clare. He has acquired his comorbidities following different accidents. Michael has a passion for using his voice, not only to help himself, but to help others who need his voice.  He has extensive expertise and knowledge on disability matters through his lived experience, academic achievements and being a disability activist.  

Michael is the Chairman of the National Advocacy Committee. Michael has spoken on the Disability Matters Committee, the Social Inclusion forum and the Joint Committee in Dáil Éireann but to mention a few and has championed his way through many successful lobbying campaigns to date.

Michael uses his skills as an advocate so that the voices of people with disabilities can be heard, which he feels is a key first step to Inclusion and Equality.

Michael feels that Ireland needs to embrace the social model of healthcare and adhere to the UN CRPD Protocols as this will address the disparities and shortcomings in the proper provision of care of people with disabilities, whilst simultaneously providing a platform for people with disabilities to be active members in their communities and society. This move will provide people with disabilities with an enhanced quality of Life.

He is only happy to share his experiences if it stimulates societal changes that promotes disability awareness, inclusion and allows others with disabilities to become active participant’s in society. Michael’s ethos is #NeverGiveUp & #DisabledPeopleAreCapableToo.

Ruth Flood

Ruth Flood is a passionate and driven disabled activist deeply committed to equality, solidarity, and collective change. She currently serves as Chair of Sligo DPO, is a Board member of DESSA, and represents the social inclusion pillar on a Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) through Sligo PPN. Ruth has also been active in various community and solidarity campaigns and is currently training to become a Disability Equality Training facilitator.

She is pursuing a Master’s in Disability Studies at St Angela’s College, a course developed and delivered in partnership with ILMI. Ruth is particularly interested in the realisation of disabled people’s political rights and the key role that local DPOs play in advancing the UNCRPD in a meaningful, grassroots-led way.

Ruth’s activism is rooted in a lifelong belief in justice and human rights. Discovering the social model of disability was a turning point that reframed how she saw the world and her place in it. It provided language for her lived experiences and connected her with a vibrant, powerful culture of disabled resistance and community.

Being part of Sligo DPO gave Ruth space to grow as an activist and to connect with a broader national movement. She believes strongly in the need for spaces where disabled people can build collective power, challenge ableism, and reimagine society through a rights-based lens.

Ruth brings energy, clarity, and an uncompromising vision for change to the ILMI Board. She is excited to work alongside fellow disabled activists to push for real inclusion and to contribute to a movement that is unapologetically bold, proud and led by disabled people.

Thom Stewart

Thom Stewart is a peer practitioner, co-designer, and conscientious objector to the obsolete narratives of “mental health”. Thom advocates for ground-clearing the underlying assumptions about power, ownership, capability, and control that disables our entire society. He explores how disabled bodies especially, like rivers, turn the economic waterwheel that grinds the flower of human life into flour that feeds an entire system of control.

A graduate in Sociology and Social Policy from Trinity College Dublin and holder of a Masters in Psychoanalytic Theory, Thom believes in the ethical practice of co-production, the solidarity of collective care, and the necessity of art as a practice of human freedom.

He was a founding member of Cosáin CLG, a user-led mental health charity. He coproduced the Galway Community Cafe in partnership with Community Healthcare West. Thom currently works with Workhouse Union, a design-led arts consultancy.

Dr James Casey

Dr James Casey previously worked with ILMI as policy worker and prior to this he worked on the cross border Onside Project. He holds a PhD in Critical Disability Studies from the University of Galway, where he was the recipient of a Doctoral Teaching Fellowship. James, a disabled person, has worked as a lecturer, consultant and communications advisor in addition to his continued role as a peer reviewer with several international journals. He most recently worked in international development leading a climate inclusive project in the Global South. He is from Co. Mayo and has been a ILMI member since 2017.

Boakai Abu Nyehn, Jr

Community Development Worker

Boakai Abu Nyehn, Jr joined ILMI in September 2024 as community development worker on the Disability Participation Awareness Fund (DPAF) funding project “Engaging Disabled People in Direct Provision” . He is a passionate advocate for disability rights, social inclusion, and development, with extensive experience in working to promote the rights and full participation of disabled people in Liberia. Boakai has served as a consultant on disability and social inclusion for numerous national and international agencies. He has also worked as a Research Assistant on multiple projects with organisations such as Leonard Cheshire Disability and Inclusive Development Centre at University College London, Talking Drum Studio, AIFO-Liberia, and UNMIL, ensuring that disabled people’s needs and perspectives are integrated into their programs.

As a disabled person, Boakai’s lived experience informs his leadership as Assistant Director for disabled people in Liberia. His role focuses on advocating for the inclusion of disabled people at all levels of society, promoting accessible development, and advancing the rights of the community. Boakai holds certifications in International Law and related fields and is a skilled Administrator and Assistive Technology Specialist, committed to using his expertise to create a more inclusive society for all.