The Probation Service protects the public and create safer communities by helping offenders to desist from committing more crime. We have a strong record of reducing re-offending, managing offenders safely in the community, reintegrating prisoners after release and of providing an effective, efficient and value for money service. We have many success stories of offenders whom we have helped reintegrate into society, as well as statistics that show what we do works.
As Director of the Probation Service Mark is responsible for the overall delivery of services to help protect the public, improve community safety, and to support offenders to re-integrate into society. Mark has responsibility for the provision of probation supervision, community service, anti- offending behaviour programmes and related specialist support for both adults and young people with the aim of preventing them from reoffending.
A qualified social worker, Mark has previously held positions in the Irish Prison Service and in the Probation Service. During his earlier periods in the Probation Service, he contributed to the setting up of both the Sex Offender Risk Assessment and Management (SORAM) and the Joint Agency Response to Crime (JARC) models of joint offender management. Most recently he has served as a Principal Officer in the Department of Justice and Equality International Protection Accommodation Service.
Fiona has more than 25 years' experience working in advocacy in Ireland and Europe, with particular focus on human rights and anti-discrimination. She has extensive experience of the criminal justice sector and before joining the Probation Service was Executive Director of the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT), Ireland’s leading NGO advocating for evidence-led progressive reform of Irish penal policy.
From 2018-2021, Fíona was on the Board of Directors of Community Creations Ltd, which runs SpunOut.ie and Crisis Text Line Ireland, a text-based mental health support service.
Fíona holds undergraduate and post-graduate degrees from Trinity College Dublin. In 2015, she completed an M.A. in Political Communications at Dublin City University, where her research interests centred on media, public opinion and policy change.
Una leads the newly established Effective Practice Directorate which focuses on various aspects of probation practice to support quality service delivery. This includes learning and organisational development and quality assurance, as well as data and research. She also has responsibility for international engagement. As Deputy Director Una has held various roles across the Organisation, including Director of Corporate Affairs and more recently Director of Operations.
Una began her career with the Service as a probation officer and held various roles across the range of probation practice. She is a qualified social worker and brings a wealth of frontline experience and knowledge to her leadership role.
As Deputy Director of Operations (Courts and Community) Olivia has responsibility for service delivery nationwide. Olivia has more than 18 years senior management experience across the Probation Service and the Charity sector. Before being appointed Deputy Director, Olivia was Assistant Principal Probation Officer with national responsibility for Young Persons Probation. She has developed policy for the Service in serious youth offending and knife crime and was a member of the Youth Justice Strategy expert working group.
A Director of Le Cheile mentoring since July 2021, Olivia is a graduate of University College Dublin and the National University of Ireland.
Cillian has more than 23 years working with the Civil Service having held several management positions across various departments. Before taking up his role with the Probation Service he was Principal Officer with the Courts Service with responsibility for the Estates Management unit.
One of Cillian’s major achievements over recent years is the delivery and operational management of the Courts Bundle Public Private Partnership (PPP) Project which included the development of several courthouse buildings nationwide. Before this he had a lead role in the development and delivery of the Criminal Courts of Justice building.
Cillian holds a Bachelor of Natural Science from Trinity College Dublin.
The Probation Service Organisational Structure