Meet The Board

In accordance with the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995, the Board is made up of a chairperson and ten ordinary members. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Helen McEntee TD, announced the appointment of a new Board on the 10th November 2021 for a five year term. In keeping with the Government’s policy, the appointments were dealt with through the Public Appointments Service portal www.stateboards.ie.

The Chairperson is Ms Nuala Egan, Senior Counsel. Nuala began practising as a barrister in 1997 and became a Senior Counsel in 2022.  Her practice focusses upon aspects of constitutional, human rights and administrative law.  She was formerly a lecturer in law in Trinity College Dublin and in the University of Galway, a legal researcher in the Law Reform Commission and an advisor to Oireachtas Committees. She has published in her legal areas of interest, including asylum and immigration law, public child law and international environmental law and development.   

The other members serving on the Board are:

• Michael Bourke, Solicitor
• Patrick Durcan, Retired District Court Judge
• Gordon Jeyes, former Chief Executive of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency
• Catherine Keane, Solicitor
• Maurice Lawlor, Officer of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection
• Freda McKittrick, Assistant Director, Barnardos
• Niamh O'Hanlon, Legal Clerk, Legal Aid Board
• Tracy O'Keeffe, Officer of the Minister for Justice and Equality
• Catherine Ryan, Managing Solicitor, Legal Aid Board
• Liam Ryan, Solicitor
• Jane McGowan, Barrister
• Maeve Brett, Department of Public Expenditure