Trócaire appoints new Executive Director
The Chairman of Trócaire, Bishop William Crean, has announced the appointment of Éamonn Meehan as the organisation’s new Executive Director replacing Justin Kilcullen who will retire in October.
Speaking today, Bishop Crean said: “I am delighted on behalf of the trustees and board of the organisation, to announce that Éamonn Meehan has been appointed Executive Director of Trócaire. Éamonn’s in-depth knowledge and demonstrated commitment in the area of overseas development and his wealth of management experience will be extremely valuable as we continue to work to bring about positive change in the lives of people in developing countries throughout the world.”
The Chairman added: “As Trócaire’s Deputy Director since 2002, Éamonn has shown his proven ability to inspire, motivate and develop people to achieve high performance. He has always had a long-term strategic focus, aiming to maximise the impact of our work and resources. I wish him every success in his new role within the organisation.”
Éamonn Meehan said: “I am honoured to be the new Executive Director of Trócaire. The work of Trócaire is more important now than ever as the world faces huge challenges of poverty, inequality and injustice. While the work of Trócaire in many countries overseas is at the heart of this, it is also important to communicate effectively with the Irish public, across the whole island, about our work for a just world and the part which everyone can play in that. Our work is only possible because of the generosity and solidarity of the people of Ireland.
“Trócaire’s excellent staff work in partnership with many organisations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. I look forward to strengthening the voice of those communities. True development and equality can only be brought about by their own action and endeavour and with our support and solidarity.”
Éamonn Meehan first joined Trócaire staff in 1991 as Programme Manager for the Southern Africa Region. For five years in this role, he managed the day-to-day running of Trócaire’s work in South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In 1996 he became Head of the International Division, responsible for Trócaire’s work overseas. This included the allocation of resources to development and humanitarian programmes and securing co-financing from the Irish government, the EU and others. In 2002, Éamonn was appointed Deputy Director and Head of Trócaire’s Ireland Division with over-arching responsibility for fundraising and marketing, communications, development education, policy and campaigns. Previously from 1987-1991, Éamonn worked with the Agency for Personal Service Overseas (APSO) as Regional Representative for Southern Africa based in Lesotho. A former teacher, he has taught in Clane, County Kildare, Knocklyon in County Dublin and in Turkana in Kenya. Originally from Kilmaley, County Clare, Éamonn holds a Masters in Education from Trinity College, Dublin.
Editor’s note
Trócaire is the overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland. Established in 1973 and currently celebrating 40 years of “Working for a Just World”,Trócaire tackles the root causes of poverty, addressing issues such as food security, human rights, gender equality and HIV and works with local partner organisations that understand the challenges faced by communities in the hardest-hit regions of the world. In addition Trócaire strives to educate and inform the Irish public on issues of global justice. Trócaire employs almost 400 staff worldwide, of whom 145 are located in its offices in Maynooth, Belfast, Cork and Dublin.
ENDS
