Our Staff

Mark Thompson

RFJ's Director Mark Thompson
RFJ’s CEO Mark Thompson

Mark is a founder member and the CEO of Relatives for Justice.

Mark is responsible for the strategic development and management of Relatives for Justice and has overseen the growth of the organisation from a successful and dedicated voluntary campaigning group to the professional human rights, advocacy and support organisation that sets the bar on best practice for victims and survivors of conflict. This is an holistic model of support for families affected by conflict violations, ensuring effective support for redressing human rights abuses partnered by a range of services including therapeutic support.

Mark’s experience in pro-actively holding those responsible to account and in ensuring that the needs and experiences of victims of the conflict are identified and championed makes him one of the most recognisable and respected international figures in the debate on how we Deal with the Past. He has made representations on families’ behalf at US Congress and the United Nations, European Parliament, European Court, as well as to governments in both Britain and Ireland.

Mark can be contacted on mark.thompson@relativesforjustice.com


Andrée Murphy

RFJ's Deputy Director Andrée Murphy
RFJ’s Deputy Director Andrée Murphy

Andrée has worked in RFJ since it opened its first office on the Falls Road in 1999. She has worked first voluntarily in RFJ and now as its Deputy Director with responsibility for operational and budgetary management.

Andrée has been a key voice in the promotion of a focus on women in the debate on how to deal with our past and on the need to ensure that those who have experienced the worst of our conflict have the biggest say in how it is addressed in a human rights-based framework.

Committed to the development and process-based approaches Andrée holds a master’s in international human rights law and transitional justice and consistently promotes the values of holistic and transgenerational support, along with establishing Relatives for Justice as the centre of excellence in the support of victims of conflict it now is.

Andrée can be contacted on andree@relativesforjustice.com


Aine Malone

I am the Welfare Advice Coordinator for Relatives for Justice and I have worked here for 16 years. I have completed my Certificate as a Welfare Rights Advisor, specializing in disability-related benefits, tax credits and means-tested benefits with the Law Centre. I have also completed an accredited course with Advice NI in Social Security Tribunal Representation which allows me to assist our members with their benefit appeal tribunals. I have also completed a number of personal development courses specializing in Welfare Rights with Advice NI and the VSS, to ensure I can offer extensive support to our members. I promise dedication and commitment to individual cases as well as the area of strategic focus on the long-term policy needs of victims of the conflict.

Kind Regards,
Áine Malone
Welfare and Advice Coordinator

Aine can be contacted on aine@relativesforjustice.com


Orla Devlin

orlaOrla is the Finance and Administration Manager in Relatives for Justice. Orla is responsible for the day-to-day management of the finances of Relatives for Justice. With a long background in financial management Orla brings her expertise to ensuring professional standards of good governance in all of RFJ’s financial dealings.

Orla can be contacted on orla@relativesforjustice.com

 

 


Paula Torney


Paula Torney’s role is that of Complementary Therapy Co-Ordinator for Relatives for Justice.

She holds 25 years of experience as a Complementary Therapist and has worked in a community setting for over 15 years.

In addition, Paula is qualified in multiple disciplines and is a member of the Federation of Holistic Therapists.  She is listed on the Professional Standards Authority Accredited Register, whilst holding VTCT regulated Diplomas in the following fields:

• Aromatherapy
• Reflexology
• Indian Head Massage
• Body Massage and
• Thermal Auricular Therapy

She has also undertaken further training in:

• Advanced Reflexology Techniques,
• Advanced Clinical Aromatherapy
• Thai Foot Massage
• and possesses a Bach Flower Practitioner Certificate through the Bach Flower Centre, Oxfordshire

Whilst simultaneously embarking on the relevant Continued Professional Development required by her professional body.

Paula recognizes the importance of having a therapeutic strategy that includes a trauma focus and has developed a best practice treatment program to achieve this.
Through continuous monitoring and evaluation, she can assess treatment protocols and add new and adaptive approaches to suit complex trauma where required.

She feels privileged to manage a team of highly Professional, Accredited Complementary Therapists who compassionately deliver in-house and remote holistic support.
This has aided in the success of providing healing services within RFJ to help individuals, families, and communities throughout the North of Ireland.

Paula Torney
Complementary Therapy Co-ordinator

Paula can be contacted on paula.torney@relativesforjustice.com


Christina Heaney

Health and Wellbeing Caseworker
Health and Wellbeing Caseworker

Christina is the Health and Wellbeing Caseworker with RFJ. She trained in the creative arts, dramatherapy and counselling and has completed numerous CDP training courses on the impact of trauma, transgenerational trauma and trauma recovery. She has worked in the community and voluntary sector for 15 years and has held several positions including Project Worker with Headway Belfast, Floating Support Worker and Coordinator with Action Ability Belfast, and Group Facilitator with Belfast & Lisburn Women’s Aid.

Christina’s role in RFJ is to work directly with individual victims and survivors and their families to facilitate trauma recovery. She works collaboratively with individuals to identifying and work towards achievable goals, refer to internal RFJ services and appropriate external statutory and community organisations as well as providing assistance with applying for additional services/support available through the VSS Individual Needs Programme.

Christina can be contacted on paula.torney@relativesforjustice.com


Eoin Connolly 

Payments Scheme Advice Worker
Payments Scheme Advice Worker

Eoin is Our Victims’ Payments Scheme Advice Worker
Eoin was educated at St Mary’s CBGS on the Glen Road. He has worked in RFJ since 2019 after completing his LLB at Ulster University. Eoin followed through with his passion for human rights by graduating with a Masters in Human Rights Law and Transitional Justice.
Growing up in West Belfast, Eoin has always been interested in human rights law and legacy cases. Initially a volunteer in RFJ when Eoin contributed to a number of family reports and helped compile the 2020 Virtual Feile Remembering Quilt.
Eoin now works in RFJ as part of the Victims’ Payments Scheme Advice Team. His role entails assisting applicants and proving support for families going through the Victims’ Payments Scheme process. He is well aware of the existing challenges with the scheme around issues of potential discrimination surrounding gender, the rights of ex-prisoners and the bereaved.

For more information about the scheme please contact: eoin@relativesforjustice.com


Jennifer McCann

Jennifer McCann

Jennifer is from West Belfast and has worked in the local community for most of her adult life.

She has an Honours Degree in the Social Sciences and has a Diploma in Counselling and Group Work Skills.

She has worked for RFJ for 4 years and recently moved into the role of Victims Payment Scheme Advice Worker.

 

Tel:   02890 627171
Email: jennifer@relativesforjustice.com

 


MaryKate Quinn

Mary Kate is our Social Support Coordinator within Relatives for Justice with almost a decade of experience within our organisation.  A 2010 Queens graduate, she returned to university to complete a Law degree part time and graduated in 2019. She is currently completing her Masters in Human Rights Law part time.  Mary Kate also holds a BTEC Diploma in Art & Design.

Mary Kate’s life has been framed by the pursuit for truth and justice and with this, she is passionate about supporting victims and survivors of our recent conflict.  Supporting those injured and addressing their needs to enable them to develop healthy responses to the effects of trauma is at the core of her role.  Mary Kate identifies and organises classes, activities and trips that our families feel would support their journey to recovery.  Her role also entails particular focus on gender harms and the integration of a gender lens to all of our work.

Mary Kate  Quinn
Social Support Coordinator

For further information please contact MaryKate on marykate@relativesforjustice.com


Paul Butler

Paul Butler is our Caseworker. A former legislator, and now working with Mike Ritchie he supports and assists families to identify, document and record the violations they have experienced. He assists families with accessing the public records that exist around the violations, including supporting the families to engage the available mechanisms for redress.

This is a very hands on role which focuses on the needs of those who have suffered harms. Every part of the work is carried out at the pace of the family themselves.

Paul can be contacted at paul.butler@relativesforjustice.com

 


Siobhan Nugent

Siobhan Nugent

Siobhan is our admin support in the Dungannon office. Siobhan has been with Relatives for Justice over 12years, 6 years voluntary and 6 years as a staff member.  Siobhan has a foundation degree in Social Science and trained in befriending and the effects of trauma. Siobhan is the first point of contact in our Dungannon office and always ready to help and support our members and their enquiries.

 

 

Siobhan Nugent
Administration Officer


Sue Ryan

sue

The first voice on the phone when you phone our Belfast office Sue Ryan is our Belfast receptionist. Bringing a wealth of experience from the private and hospitality sector and trained in the effects of trauma, Sue is the safe pair of hands that is our point of first contact.

 

 

 

 

Sue Ryan
Belfast Receptionist


Jim McGivern
Jim McGivern is our Clinical Operations Lead. Jim Leads our health and wellbeing team in RFJ and oversees the implementation of our clinical programme.

Jim brings a wealth of experience and expertise to RFJ with his own background counselling and supervision in the community. His person centred approach means that you are in safe hands when you ask for support.

 

Jim McGivern
Clinical Operations Lead


Haley Olig

Haley Olig is part of the RFJ advocacy team. With a background in women’s rights and civil rights, she brings significant expertise to the role of Advocacy Caseworker.

 

 

 

 

Haley Olig
Advocacy Team


Mariia Losieva

Mariia Losieva is the first person you will meet in our Ardoyne Office. Dedicated to supporting the administration needs of applicants to the Payments Scheme for the injured Mariia’s background in advocacy support ensures that all who come through the door will be given accurate and consistent information about the scheme’s administration needs.

Mariia Losieva
Ardoyne Office


Ruairí Howarth

Ruairí Howarth is a caseworker providing advice to the Payments Scheme for the Injured. Ruairi brings a wealth of experience to this role, as he supports applicants making their applications, undergoing assessments and getting to the final determination.

 

Ruairí Howarth
Caseworker


Aisling Mulholland
Aisling is the Casework Manager for the Victim’s Payment Scheme at Relatives for Justice. Aisling provides support to our team of case workers who assist applicants to access the Victim’s Payment Scheme.

Aisling comes from a health care background and has a decade of experience working with people who experience psychological and physical illness, injury and disability. Aisling has supported individuals to receive the support, recognition, and compensation they are entitled to through various disability and acquired injury support schemes.

Aisling can be contacted on aisling@relativesforjustice.com


Priyam Yarnell

Priyam has a background in human rights.

Priyam is part of the Victims’ Payment Scheme team and is striving to support victims in accessing their right to reparation.

 

 

 


Irati Oleaga Aiesta

Bringing her experience from the Basque country and a Masters in International Human Rights Law, Irati is a key part of the Advocacy Casework Team.

 

 

 

 


Gaby Conway

Gabby Conway is our Health and Wellbeing Caseworker based in North Armagh and East Tyrone. Gabby comes from a background working with the Health and Social Care Trust and Community Restorative Justice. Her extensive experience is person centred and always focused on the best outcomes for victims and survivors.