(Staff from left to right above: Mary Gillick, Bev McMackin, Rhian McEvoy and Stephanie Maher)
Jenny Murphy – Project Co-ordinator
Jenny is the Project Co-ordinator of Finglas West Family Resource Centre (FRC) with 15 years experience working with vulnerable children and families. Jenny graduated from University College Dublin with a Bachelors Degree in Social Science. She first began her career as a Community Service Volunteer in Focus Ireland, working directly with children and parents in Aylward Green (Supported Family accommodation). Jenny held a variety of Project Worker roles across Focus Ireland including; short and long term accommodation, Day centres, Regional contact and outreach team (rough sleeper) and Prevention and case management team. In 2014, Jenny moved to Dublin Simon Community and became the organisations first Child and Family Project Worker. In 2015, Jenny became their Finglas based Project Worker and worked in conjunction with Dublin City Council and local organisations to prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless. Jenny was a member of a number of forums including, Child and Family Support Network, Better Finglas PFL implementation Team and Finglas Infant Mental Health Network as part of her role.
In 2016, Jenny fulfilled a long-time professional goal of working in Barnardos when she became a Project Worker in the Finglas Family Support Project (previously known as Finglas Springboard Project). Here, Jenny fostered extensive experience in delivering evidence-based programmes including Partnership with Parents (PwP) and Friendship Group Programme as well as working intensively with children and parents on a one to one including assessments on behalf of TUSLA. In 2019 Jenny moved to Barnardos Best Practice Team and supported the organisation to develop policies and best practice in its implementation of evidence based and informed programmes and initiatives. Jenny was involved in the development and implementation of Barnardos Trauma Informed Strategy which set Barnardos on its journey to becoming a Trauma Informed Organisation.
In 2021, as a result of the Late Late Toy Show Appeal and Community Foundation Ireland, Barnardos established the National Wellbeing Project, Jenny became the Project Co-ordinator of this service which was based on a model to improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and parents in their communities. This was a national service offered across 7 sites initially and then expanded to a further 10 sites. The model is grounded in a Trauma informed lens using body- based interventions and very much embodies Barnardos Heart, Body Mind approach aiming to build resilience within individuals and communities. Jenny has a passion for body-based interventions in particular, breathwork and is one of Barnardos Level 3 Breath, Body Mind teachers.
Now, as the Project Co-ordinator of Finglas West FRC, Jenny hopes to bring her knowledge and experience to this role, working alongside and in partnership with the Steering Group and the wider community to strengthen the resilience of children and their families and aim to make a real and lasting difference to their lives.
Jenny enjoys going to the Gym and spending her weekends in the park with her family.
Email jenny.murphy@barnardos.ie Tel: 086 602 2653
Mary Gillick – Project Worker
Mary is a Project Worker in the Finglas West Family Resource Centre (FRC) with over 20 years of experience working with children and families. Mary has worked and volunteered in Residential Services, Homeless Services, with children in Temporary and Permanent Foster Care and in Family Support. Mary has been part of the Barnardos organisation for 15 years in both Ireland and Australia working with children and families in a variety of roles. This includes working as a Project Worker for an intensive family support service, offering one to one support to children, parenting support, group work and Assessments. Also as a Senior Case Manager working with children in permanent care and assessing prospective foster carers.
Mary has worked in the Finglas West FRC since November 2018. Mary has a Diploma in Social Care and a BsC (Hons) in Social Science. Mary is trained in Baby Massage, Mindfulness for both Parents and Children, PeePs Programme, Triple P Parenting Programmes, Circle of Security and Parents Plus ADHD Programme.
Mary enjoys running and spending time with her family and friends.
Email mary.gillick@barnardos.ie Tel: 086 185 3971
Stephanie Maher – Project Worker
Stephanie is a Project Worker in the Finglas West Family Resource Centre (FRC) for over 4 years. Stephanie has 10 years’ experience working with vulnerable children, young people and adults. She has worked in Barnardo’s preschool services, community addiction support services, afterschool services and teen parents support programmes over the years. Stephanie has 2 years management experience in a community addiction service which supported parents, young people and children who were impacted by addiction.
Stephanie has a Masters in Child, Family and Community Studies and a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education. She is also trained in HighScope, Tús Maíth, Baby Massage, PEEPS Parent and Toddler Programme, Tripe P Parenting Programmes, Circle of Security and Mindfulness for both children and parents.
Stephanie really enjoys facilitating groups with toddlers and parents which gets everyone singing, telling stories and messy with group sensory activities. When Stephanie is not at work, she likes swimming, spending time with her daughter and catching up with friends.
Email: Stephanie.maher@barnardos.ie Tel: 086 185 3964
Gillian Murphy – Project Worker
Gillian joined the FRC in June 2025 in the role of Project Worker. Gillian has worked in the area of Social Care for many years after receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Social Care. Throughout her career, Gillian has worked with many families and children from 0 to 14 years old. Gill is keen to engage families that have not being availing of the programmes on offer in the FRC through outreach work. One of her main goals throughout her work is to try and enlighten the families she is working with in any small way possible. In addition to her Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Social Care, Gillian has also completed training Level 6 Therapeutic Play Skills with Children’s Therapy Centre, Highscope, Peeps Learning Together Programme, Parents Plus and Infant Massage Instructor training.
Email: gillian.murphy@barnardos.ie Tel: 086 826 7494
Rhian McEvoy – Project Administrator
Rhian has been part of the team since the FRC first started in November 2018. Originally from Wales, Rhian has over 15 years’ administrative experience working in various roles in the public, private and charity sector. Rhian has held posts in Make-A-Wish Foundation Ireland, Youth Advocate Programmes Ireland and Lucena Clinic before starting with Barnardos Ireland. Rhian has a passion for working in the community and in her spare time enjoys travelling and spending time with her young family.
Email: rhian.mcevoy@barnardos.ie Tel: 086 796 6255
Michael Lynch – Caretaker
Having lived in Finglas most his life, Michael joined the FRC team in the role of Caretaker in January 2025. Michael is an avid Liverpool supporter and enjoys watching all sport.
Tessa Collins – Community Employment Worker
Tessa joined the FRC in March 2024 in the role of Housekeeper under the Community Employment Scheme. Tessa has lived in Finglas West of 30 years and has always had involvement with the local community. Prior to working in the FRC, Tessa worked over 20 years in Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre and has a strong interest in community integration and social inclusion. Tessa enjoys supporting the groups running in the FRC and meeting new families from the area.