Professional Profiles

Assistant Director Monica Hynds has been a Guardian ad Litem since 2017 and is Assistant Director of Barnardos Guardian Ad Litem service since 2024. She has a range of experience in child care proceedings in the District Court.

Monica has particular skills in working with children who have experienced childhood trauma and neglect. Monica qualified as a social worker in 1996 and has wide experience as a social worker and team leader with HSE (TUSLA) in both child protection and family support services, working predominantly with families experiencing addiction, mental health and/or domestic violence issues. She has worked in practice development and has extensive experience in quality assurance of services. Monica endeavours to ensure the voice of the child is heard in court proceedings.

Monica is a member of the IASW and her CORU membership number is 005289.

Contact details
[email protected]
086 8366008

Miriam Lyne has been a Guardian ad Litem in Ireland since 2000. Based in the Cork regional office, she is Head of Service (South) and manages a team of 14 Freelance Guardians ad Litem working in the South. Miriam has wide experience as a Guardian ad Litem in complex child care and family law casework, including cases that have been protracted in the Court system. She also has experience of working with children who have been placed out of state.

Miriam qualified as a social worker in 1988. She has completed part 1 of a Higher Diploma in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Mediation training. Miriam has a particular interest in working collaboratively within the childcare system.

Prior to her work with Barnardos, Miriam practiced as a social worker for over 13 years, mainly in the areas of Child Protection and Fostering.

Miriam has limited availability for cases in Cork. CORU registered social worker 702.

Contact details
[email protected]
087 9194770

Bríd Barry joined Barnardos Guardian ad Litem team in 2008. Achieving the very best outcome for children is Bríd’s core principle. To this end, Bríd works diligently with statutory and multi-disciplinary teams where her role is to seek solutions to complex difficulties. Bríd provides supervision to a number of Guardians ad Litem within the Barnardos service.

Bríd’s specific areas of interest include working with families with transgenerational attachment trauma, the influence of parental mental ill-health and addiction on the parent-child relationship, accessing appropriate scaffolding to best resource care placements; and sourcing long term care placements for vulnerable young adults. Over the past 5 years, Bríd has focused her ongoing training to these key areas.

Since completing a Masters Degree in Social Work in 2002, Brid has worked within the field of Child Protection and Welfare, both in Ireland and in Kenya.

Bríd is available for cases in Cork, Waterford, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary.

CORU registered social worker SW12546.

Contact Brid
[email protected]
086 8366008

Caroline Burke joined the Barnardos Guardian ad Litem team in 2017. Caroline has extensive court experience in District, Circuit and High Courts. As well as particular expertise in Child Protection & Welfare Services, Caroline has extensive Court experience having dealt with and managed complex and protracted Court applications. Caroline managed a team of Social Workers for 7 years both Children in Care Teams and Fostering Teams. Through her experience in Advocacy and Disability Support, Caroline advocated on behalf of persons with intellectual disabilities for 2 years. Additional duties included court support work, project development and promoting advocacy. Caroline was also a disability support worker with the Autism Association of New South Wales, Australia. Caroline managed and co-ordinated a domestic violence service for women and children which included an accommodation service and an indigenous outreach service.

Caroline is available to take cases in the South, South West and Mid-west areas. Registered social worker SW2531.

Contact Caroline
[email protected]
083 8203231

Caroline Shore has been a Guardian ad Litem with Barnardos since 2007. She has a range of experiences in complex child care proceedings, including working with children with disabilities and additional needs, young people with mental health and substance use difficulties and children where citizenship and residence in the State is at issue. She also has experience in High Court matters relating to children in Special Care.

Caroline qualified as a social worker in 1996 and her professional background is in the area of child protection and welfare, as a social worker and senior social work practitioner. Caroline was employed as a college lecturer on the Masters of Social Work programme in University College Cork for over 17 years, specialising in the teaching of child protection and welfare and social work skills for practice. She was a member of Irish and European research networks looking at child protection decision making in respect of children, including in the court arena, and is published in this area. Caroline is an independent member of the Cork Foster Care Committee.

Caroline has availability for cases in Cork. CORU registered social worker 3270. 

Contact details:
[email protected]
021 431 0591

Catherine Curran has been a Guardian ad Litem since 2012. She has over 30 years of experience working with children in care, their families and related proceedings. Catherine has worked in the District and High Courts on a broad range of cases and has much experience working with teenagers who are at high risk. Given her wide-ranging involvement with children and their families, Catherine has the ability to adapt her work to confront presenting difficulties / problems and to agree solutions. Catherine was a Social Work Tutor at TCD for 10 years.

Catherine has a Masters in Social Work (UCD, 1993) and a Masters in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (UCD, 2010). She is a member of APPI (Association of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapists).

She is available to act in cases in the Dublin, Midlands and Southeast regions. CORU registered social worker 3314.

Contact Caroline
[email protected]
086 2204475

Claire Brogan, Practice Manager has been a Guardian ad Litem with Barnardos since June 2013. Claire is a strong advocate for the voice
of the child and since commencing as a  Guardian ad Litem has worked across the country representing children’s views and wishes to the court. She has worked with a number of sibling groups and has a proven skill in working with adolescents with  behavioural problems. Claire has worked with vulnerable
children in other areas of social care for over 20 years. She worked as a social worker and a team leader for 7 years. She has always had an interest in the law and how this can work in the best interest of children in the care of the state.
Claire completed a Masters in Social Work (University of Edinburgh) in 2006 and has attended training with NAGALRO on “Communicating with Children” and also module 1 with the Anna Freud Centre – infant mental health. Claire is available to take cases in Dublin and surrounding areas. CORU registered social worker 5854. 

Claire O’Connor has been working as a Guardian ad Litem with the Beacon Guardian ad Litem Service since 2009. Claire has wide-ranging experience as a Guardian ad Litem in complex child care and family law casework, including work with special care cases, addiction, neglect, high risk cases and children with complex special needs. She was involved in the drafting of the Practice Manual for Guardians ad Litem with the Barnardos Service.

For over 7 years, Claire worked as a social worker in a variety of settings – including Manager of RACS (Risk Assessment and Consultation Service) and as part of a Child Protection Team. She completed a Masters in Social Work in 2002 and, in 2009, completed a Postgrad Diploma in Mental Health at TCD.

Claire is available to take cases in Dublin and its surrounding areas. CORU registered social worker 3278.

Contact Claire
[email protected]
087 9221532

Claudia Riedel joined the Barnardos Guardian ad Litem team in 2022. Claudia qualified as a Social Worker in 2002 and has 20 years experience as a Social Worker and Social Work Team Leader in Louth and Dublin social work teams. She has considerable experience in fostering and child protection and is skilled at building honest, emphatic and respectful working relationships with children, young people and their families. Claudia has extensive Court experience and is available for appointment in Dublin, Trim, Cavan and Monaghan District Courts.

CORU registered social worker SW5073.

Contact Claudia
[email protected]
087 0949395

David Hartley has practiced as a Guardian ad Litem with Barnardos since 2011. David has experience of working with children who present challenging and complex behaviour. He has worked with many children in special care environments and secure settings overseas. In his work, David places an emphasis on collaborative working and he takes an inclusive approach regarding multi-disciplinary practice. David strives to ensure children’s rights are protected and their voices heard. David has experience of working in the District Court and the High Court. He has acted as Guardian ad Litem for children in care of the Child and Family Agency and for children in private family law proceedings. David has delivered training on behalf of Barnardos regarding child care legislation and the court process. David sits as a Lay Member on Mental Health Tribunals.

David qualified as a social worker in 2001 and, prior to his work as a Guardian ad Litem, he worked as a social worker and social work team leader in Dublin inner city for over 8 years.

David is available to act as Guardian ad Litem for cases in Dublin and surrounding areas. CORU registered social worker 3255.

Contact David

[email protected]
087 2876339

Eilish Forrest was appointed Guardian ad Litem with Barnardos in 2011. Since then she has worked with children from infancy to adolescence. Eilish has gained expertise in the areas of Child Sexual Abuse, Childhood Trauma and Infant Mental Health and her caseload has included a placement abroad.

Eilish completed a Masters of Social Work in 2000 and has over 11 years practice in the field of child protection with specific experience in child abuse & neglect, domestic violence, substance abuse and child trafficking. She has worked as a part-time lecturer and tutor on the Masters of Social Work programme at University College, Cork. Eilish is committed to promoting the best interest of the child within the court context. She avails of regular training in Ireland and in England to inform her practice in child care matters relevant to her case work.

Eilish is available for cases in Cork city and county, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford. CORU registered social worker 4457.

Contact details
[email protected]
021 4310591

Elizabeth Shanahan joined the Barnardos Guardian ad Litem team in 2022. Elizabeth qualified as a Social Worker in 2004 and has 18 years’ experience as a social worker, team leader and principal social worker. Elizabeth specialises in the area of fostering, child protection and family welfare and has considerable experience in conducting comprehensive and complex assessments. Elizabeth is particularly skilled in developing interventions and individualised care plans for families and children. Elizabeth held overall responsibility for the management, delivery and quality assurance of Child Protection services throughout Kerry. She has extensive court experience and has prepared detailed reports and assessments for district, circuit and high court proceedings. Elizabeth is available for cases in the Cork, Tipperary and Limerick areas.

CORU registered social worker SW1984.

Contact details
[email protected]
087 6903678

Freda McKittrick has been a Guardian ad Litem since 1997, having previously worked as a social worker and senior social worker in London. She joined Barnardos in 2000 and until June 2024 was manager of the service.

Freda has wide experience as a Guardian ad Litem in complex childcare casework and has a strong interest in children’s voice, rights, participation, and the role of the Guardian ad Litem in the Irish Court System. Freda is trained in Forensic Interviewing of Children. Freda has sat as a Lay Member on Tribunals held under the Mental Health Act, she is on CORU’s preliminary complaints screening committee and in November 2016 she was appointed to the Board of the Legal Aid Board.

In 2012, Freda received the Canon Maurice Handy Award for contribution to the understanding of Family Relationships.

In 2020, Freda completed Mediation Training, including Family Mediation, and is a member of the Mediator’s Institute of Ireland.

Freda has limited availability for cases in Dublin and in the South West of the country. CORU registered social worker SW0001958. Bachelor Social Studies, CQSW TCD 1985.

Contact Details
[email protected]
087 9572529

Grainne Grennan has been a Guardian ad Litem with Barnardos since 2005. She has particular expertise in working with cases involving complex non-accidental injury, child abuse and neglect, children with disabilities as well as adolescents presenting with mental health/behaviour/addiction issues, including those placed abroad. She also has worked with families from Eastern Europe and from West Africa.

Gráinne qualified as a social worker in 1992 and prior to her position with Barnardos she worked as a social worker and team leader in Donegal and in Dublin. During this time she specialised in the areas of Child Protection, Family Risk Assessments, Assessment of adoptive and foster carers and Children in long-term care. She worked as a practice teacher for social work students over ten years. Gráinne was involved in a specialist team set up to investigate institutional abuse over a one-year period and she provided reports for the Family Law Assessor Service from 2008 until 2011.

Gráinne is available to act in Dublin and surrounding counties. CORU registered social worker 3471

Contact Grainne
[email protected]
085 7380085

Mr Horgan joined the Barnardos Guardian ad Litem team in 2022 and is a qualified social worker with seven years’ experience in child protection and welfare. Five of those years were spent as a Senior Clinical Child and Family Services Manager in Bessborough Centre managing psychologists, infant mental health specialists, parenting co-ordinators and social care workers.

Previously Jonathan worked as a social worker with Tusla completing psycho-social assessments, comprehensive safety plans and professional court reports and parenting assessments. He is skilled at building good working relationships with children and families.

Jonathan has availability for cases in Cork, Waterford, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary.

Jonathan is CORU Registered SW010209.

Contact details
[email protected]
087 0663753

Ms Mairéad Cleary joined the Barnardos Guardian ad Litem team in 2021. Mairéad has worked in children’s residential care and child protection social work with vulnerable children, young people and families for twenty years. 

She is experienced in working with children and their families presenting with trauma, emotional dysregulation, addiction, mental health issues and teenage homelessness. Mairéad has in-depth knowledge regarding children in residential care from mainstream to high support settings. She is particularly experienced in working with teenagers in crisis using therapeutic crisis intervention. Mairéad’s values building genuine and empathic relationships with children and their families to identify the most appropriate outcomes. 

Mairéad qualified as a social worker in 2008 with a Bachelor of Social Work with University College Cork. She went on to complete an MS in Counselling & Psychotherapy with Irish College of Humanities & Applied Sciences, Limerick. Mairéad has particular expertise in the areas of child protection, children in care and with the community drugs projects. Mairéad is available for cases in Cork City and County, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford and Kerry. CORU registered social worker No SW009990

Contact details
[email protected]
085 1843753

Mary Tiernan has been a Guardian ad Litem with Barnardos since 2010. Mary’s experience as a Guardian ad Litem is comprehensive and she has represented children in a range of complex childcare and family law cases at District, Circuit and High Court level. She has particular expertise in relation to children with mental health difficulties who are the subject of special care applications and also placed outside the jurisdiction. She has worked extensively with children in long term care who have experienced placement breakdown and who have complex needs arising from experiences of trauma and disrupted attachment. Mary also has experience working with the Muslim community and with cultural mediators.

Mary qualified as a social worker in 1994 and, prior to her work with Barnardos, worked for 15 years as a Social Worker and Social Work Team Leader in Ireland, Northern Ireland and England.

Mary works with cases in Dublin and the North East. CORU registered social worker 3375.

Contact details
[email protected]
086 8262880

Morgan Madden commenced as a Guardian ad Litem in 2017, progressing from working as a child protection social worker and social work team leader. Based in Cork and available to work in the Munster region, Morgan has gained extensive experience in working with complex cases through his role in Child Protection in Dublin City Centre since 2010.

A core element to Morgan’s practice is in working in a respectful and honest manner with each client. Morgan has particular experience in working with young people and their families, producing thorough assessments, tailored care plans and detailed court reports.

Morgan has specialised in working with teenagers with mental health issues, drug and alcohol misuse, behavioural issues and complex care needs. Through this work, Morgan has considerable and repeated experience in Special Care settings, High Courts applications and reviews, drug treatment, (both within the community and through specialised residential units), and mental health assessments and services.

Morgan has completed training in assessing child sexual abuse disclosures and child perpetrators of sexual abuse; working with Children with behavioral difficulties, and social work in the field of psychiatry at a community level.

Between 2011 and 2017 Morgan worked as a Team Leader and Social Worker in Child Protection and Children in Care in Dublin North Central. He has a Masters in Social Work from UCC (2010); and a Bachelor of Social Science UCC 2008.

CORU registered social worker 4893.

Contact details
[email protected]
087 2707353

Pauline Underwood has been a Guardian ad Litem since 2005 and joined Barnardos Service in 2008. She has wide experience as Guardian ad Litem in complex family law cases in the District, Circuit and High Courts including out of state placements (UK and Sweden), secure care, children detained under the Mental Health Act, Asylum Seekers and unaccompanied minors. Pauline has also attended the European Court of Justice as a Guardian ad Litem and has been appointed as ‘Legitimus Contradictor’ to a young adult in the context of High Court proceedings. Pauline provides supervision to a number of Guardians ad Litem within the Barnardos service.

Pauline is a professionally qualified Social Worker with over 15 years experience of Child Protection as a Social Worker, Social Work Team Leader and Principal Social Worker – including chair of child protection case conferences and fostering panels. She qualified as a social worker in 1989 and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Child Protection and Welfare at TCD (1999). She has also completed Level One training in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), a psychological treatment for vulnerable children with trauma and attachment difficulties and their families.

Pauline is available for cases in Dublin and surrounding counties. CORU registered social worker 3554.

Contact details
[email protected]
086 3326175

Raymond has been a Guardian ad Litem with Barnardos since July 2003. He has wide-ranging experience working with children and families, particularly in the areas of Mental Health and Disabilities. He displays finely-tuned report writing skills and is fully committed to the child being at the centre of his work, particularly in relation to court proceedings. He works collaboratively with family and all agencies involved in the life of the child.

Raymond qualified as a social worker in 1987 and, prior to his appointment as a Guardian ad Litem, he worked on a variety of teams including Family & Child Care, Community Mental Health and Community Care.

Raymond is available for cases in Dublin and North-Eastern counties. CORU registered social worker 5357.

Contact Details
[email protected]
086 8253185

Ms. Sarah Madden joined the Barnardos Guardian ad Litem Service in 2021. Sarah has 24 years’ experience specialising in the area of child protection, family support, project work, safeguarding vulnerable adults and disabilities.

Sarah is committed to working in partnership with children, families and professionals to identify the most appropriate interventions at the most sensitive times in their lives. Sarah has extensive court experience and has prepared detailed reports and assessments for the court through her work in child protection and with vulnerable adults at risk of abuse. This experience has allowed Sarah to demonstrate her ability to assess and evidence difficult decisions surrounding complex child protection and welfare matters.

Sarah has particular expertise in the areas of Child Protection Assessments, teenagers and young adults, children and young adults with disabilities.

Sarah is available for cases in Cork city and county, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford.

CORU registered social worker No SW003566

Contacts details
[email protected]
085 8230802

Sharon Doyle has been a Guardian ad Litem with Barnardos since January 2013. Sharon’s experience includes carrying out comprehensive assessments and completing direct work with children who have been victims of multifaceted abuse, children with complex trauma and care needs, and children with disabilities. She predominantly works with children and families in Childcare Proceedings as well as working with a small cohort of vulnerable adults in Wardship Proceedings and Private Family Law cases.

Prior to becoming a Guardian ad Litem, Sharon worked as a Social Worker in HSE Child Protection & Welfare Service, Family Welfare Conference Coordinator with Barnardos and as a Residential Childcare Worker with young people with complex needs.

Sharon has a Masters in Social Work (2006), Diploma in Family Law (2008) & Certificate in Forensic Interviewing of Children & Vulnerable Adults (2018). Sharon has also completed various training modules in Developmental Trauma, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (Anna Freud Centre, London), Technology Based Communication Tools in Direct Work with Children (Child & Family Training, UK), Theraplay (Level 1) & Mediation Skills.

She is available for cases in Munster and Leinster areas. CORU Registered Social Worker 3125.

Contact details
[email protected]
087 9643375

Ms Beamish joined the Barnardos Guardian ad Litem team in 2019. Siobhan has worked in the area of child protection with vulnerable children, young people and families for twenty four years. Siobhan is experienced in clinically assessing complex children’s needs and identifying the most appropriate intervention. She is particularly focused on the importance of ensuring that children’s needs are clearly identified and responded to in a timely manner.

Siobhan is a qualified play therapist and has particular expertise in the areas of abuse, neglect and domestic violence.

She is available for cases in the Cork, Tipperary, Waterford, Kerry areas. Siobhan is a member of CORU: SW000808

Contact details
[email protected]
085 8003110

Since being appointed as a Guardian ad Litem in May 2014, Suzanne has gained experience of working with children and young people who have learning disabilities, are on the Autistic Spectrum, are placed in residential care and ranging from 0-18 years and beyond. Suzanne is also experienced in working with children with physical disabilities, developmental delay, children and young people with mental health difficulties and with young people transitioning to Aftercare services.

She has extensive experience of working in the area of Child Care Law in the Irish Court System. Suzanne has a particular interest in supporting and advocating for children and young people in the care system, infant mental health, neurodevelopment and developmental and relational trauma.

Suzanne holds a Masters Degree in Social Work (UCC, 2003) and, previous to her work as a Guardian ad Litem, she worked as a Social Worker in the area of Child Protection and Welfare for eleven years where she was involved in assessing needs, evaluating risks, supporting children and families and engaging in direct work with children and young people.

Suzanne works in the Cork, West and Mid-West regions. CORU registered social worker 3028.

Contact details
[email protected]
085 8854992

Tara Keogh joined the Barnardos Guardian ad Litem team in 2022. Tara qualified as a Social Worker in 2015 and has 7 years experience as a Social Worker and Senior Social Worker. Tara holds a Master’s Degree in Attachment Studies from University of Roehampton. Tara specialises in the area of attachment and trauma and has considerable experience in conducting attachment, trauma and parental capacity assessments. Her experience includes facilitating dyadic therapeutic work namely Theraplay between children and their caregivers in addition to supporting parents and carers therapeutically. Tara has extensive court experience and has prepared detailed reports and assessments for the district and circuit courts.

Tara is available for cases in Dublin and surrounding areas, Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Tipperary.

CORU Registration Social Worker No SW009574

Contact details
[email protected]
085 1350252

Úna McElroy joined Barnardos Guardian ad Litem Service in 2020. Úna was subject to the Barnardos Guardian ad Litem Service’s thorough selection and Garda vetting processes and makes use of Barnardos professional supervision and training. Úna has extensive experience working in the District, Circuit, and High Courts.

Úna has worked at a senior level with children and families with complex needs in Tusla Children in Care teams in Cork and Dublin. Úna has a particular interest in the impact of trauma and neglect on children’s development and adopts a trauma informed approach to her work with children and young people.  

She is presently undertaking a Masters (MSc) in Trauma Studies at University College Cork (UCC).

Una has availability for cases in Dublin and surrounding areas, Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Tipperary. 

CORU Registration No. SW007248.

Contact details
[email protected]
085 1743743

Yvonne Guerin joined Barnardos Guardian ad Litem Service in 2017. She has extensive court experience in District, Circuit and High Courts. Yvonne has particular skill in working with children who have experienced attachment difficulties or who have experienced childhood trauma and neglect. She has developed considerable expertise in working with children and adolescents with behavioural difficulties and addiction issues.

Yvonne qualified as a social worker in 2000 and has worked in various settings including Child Protection and Welfare Services, Children In Care and Fostering Services and Non-Irish National Children and Families. She completed a Masters in Social Science (Social Work) in 2005 when she completed her final year dissertation on the area of mental health and involuntary detention.

Her CORU registration number is SW6054.

Contact details
[email protected]
085 1380895

Maureen Collins joined the Barnardos Guardian ad Litem team in 2024. She has considerable court experience in her work as a Guardian ad Litem and as a Family Court Advisor in England. Maureen qualified as a social worker in 1996 and has worked in the area of children’s services for 28 years. Maureen specialises in the area of child  protection and family welfare and has considerable experience in conducting  comprehensive and  complex assessments.
Maureen is particularly skilled in individual care plans and identifying the
most appropriate  intervention. Maureen also specialises in the areas of:
Safeguarding, Pre-birth assessments, Fostering, Out of jurisdiction applications, Hague convention and Children’s rights. Maureen is  available to take cases in the Munster and  surrounding areas. CORU registered social worker SW061107.