Board of Directors

Joseph McNeill has 40 years’ experience as a statistician and economist with a deep insight into statistical issues, policy implications and strategy development. He was formerly Head of Statistics at the Central Bank of Ireland and a member of the Central Bank’s senior leadership group, leading a team of 60 staff to provide the statistics required for the policy functions of the Central Bank and the European Central Bank (ECB). In this role he was also responsible for overseeing relationships with stakeholders, both nationally and internationally. He has served on a number of international committees, including the Statistics Committee of the ECB, the Executive of Committee for Monetary, Financial and Balance of Payments Statistics (CMFB), and was Vice-Chairman of the Irving Fisher Committee (the International Association for Central Bank Statistics) from 2009 to 2011. Joseph holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Economics from Queen’s University Belfast and a Diploma in Accountancy and Finance from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He is a member of the Irish Economic Association and the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland. He is also Chairperson of Board of Management of St. Brigid’s Girls’ National School in Foxrock.

Anthony joined Foscadh Housing in 2007 and is passionate about housing and making a meaningful contribution to Ireland’s homelessness crisis. As Company Secretary he is responsible for ensuring the Association’s operational strategy aligns with compliance requirements, and for helping the Board to fulfil its fiduciary duties. He is also an effective communicator and negotiator and noted for his ability to successfully manage onsite meetings. Anthony is retired member of the Department of Defence where for over 30 years he held senior positions. At Foscadh Housing, he has applied his unique skills to develop a comprehensive archive of each stage of construction across the Association’s developments, resulting in an invaluable reference tool for future works and services providers. Anthony is a director of his own successful graphic design and signage business based in Drogheda.

Tony McBride is a Chartered Certified Accountant and a Statutory Auditor with more than 30 years’ experience in the accounting sector. He is a partner at accountancy practice FLC Frank Lynch & Co in Dundalk, Co. Louth and regarded for his expertise in accounting, auditing, taxation and corporate restructuring. Tony is also a director of a number of limited companies and a company limited by guarantee. He holds a ACCA qualification from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and a Diploma in Insolvency and Corporate Restructuring from the Law Society of Ireland. He also holds positions as Treasurer of St Dominic’s FC, the Assistant Treasurer of Dundalk Gaels GFC and the Committee of Parents and Friends of St Brigid’s Special School Dundalk.

Charles joined the Foscadh Housing Board in 2007 and was appointed Chairperson from 2009 until 2014. He has widespread management experience in the private sector and during his tenure as Chair of the Foscadh Housing Board, he provided valuable oversight of the Association’s coordinated centralisation of its administration from Scariff County Clare, Rosegreen County Tipperary and Dundalk County Louth to the remodelled and purpose-designed Drogheda headquarters. His can-do attitude and keen interest in the effects of homelessness is a driving force in his commitment to social housing delivery and his continued important role at Foscadh Housing. He is well-known by tenants for his engaging and warm approach, often stopping by estates to say “hello” and learn about tenants’ concerns. He is keenly supportive of the Loving Life Children’s Choir, a Foscadh Housing initiative, and the opportunities it presents to children for a safe and friendly environment for self-expression through song. Charles is also actively involved in a number of other local community organisations and charities.

Catherine MacGinley is a partner with MacGinley Quinn Solicitors in Louth. She has more than 20 years’ experience in property law in Ireland including property transactions, lending, planning law and property management. Catherine is also a member of the panel of solicitors for the Legal Aid Board in the Abhaile scheme in County Louth which provides free legal assistance to people facing repossession proceedings. She is the current President of the County Louth Solicitors’ Bar Association and is a member of the Law Society of Ireland, the County Louth Solicitors’ Bar Association, the Council of Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Collaborative Practitioners. She holds a Bachelor of Civil Law (Hons) from University College Dublin and a Diploma in Property Tax from the Law Society of Ireland. In her spare time, she supports her three school age boys on the side-lines of sporting fixtures and enjoys the occasional game of tennis.

David Faherty has over 20 years’ experience in senior management roles and is currently the Deputy Chief Executive –Operations at the Royal Dublin Society. He is highly regarded for his expertise in operations management and major events, and for his extensive knowledge of planning, design and delivery of complex capital projects. He has extensive experience working with planners, economic development and city managers to develop projects ranging in value from €5 million to more than €20 million alongside specialist expertise in procurement and tendering, capital cost management, financial reporting, contract management and health and safety. David holds a Law Degree from Nottingham Trent University, a Diploma in Engineering from the Institute of Technology and an MBA from Dublin City University. He is a keen golfer and GAA enthusiast and is a member of the Dublin County Board Coiste Eisteachta, Executive Hearings Committee.

Eadaoin has extensive experience in the property and housing sectors as well as the charity sector and brings deep insight into housing regulations and best practice to the Foscadh Board. She is currently a Housing Officer with Respond Housing and has previously held positions in construction, property consultancy and a homeless charity where she gained valuable experience across all aspects of housing development and delivery, property maintenance and management, tenant liaison and social care. Eadaoin holds a Master’s in Real Estate alongside several other qualifications in construction economics and management, construction technology and construction maintenance. She is a PRSA Licensed Property Services Provider (A, B, C and D).

Brian Cavanagh has more than 25 years’ experience in strategic leadership and governance throughout Ireland and Scotland. He brings valuable knowledge and experience to the Foscadh Board, from in-depth insight into board governance and performance, to the development of community embedded, person centred and independent living models of housing and care. Brian is the Director of Calibrate Ltd, a trusted mentoring and coaching consultancy which offers expertise in leadership, governance, policy development and change management within the private and non-profit sectors. He also chairs the Board of Synaptik, an SME providing health care solutions, and was previously Chair of Scotland’s second largest health board, NHS Lothian. Brian holds a degree in history and politics, and a Certificate in Business Coaching from the University of Stirling. He is committed to making a meaningful contribution to an inclusive society and has a particular interest housing and care developments, especially in the field of digital care.