Our People
David Durney, Director of Operations
David, in his role as Director of Fresh Start, oversees the day to day operations of the organisation. David studied Behavioural Science, Family Studies and Social Work in the United States, and has 20 years experience in working in the sector. He returned to Ireland in 2000.
Dr. Ian Gargan, Clinical Director, CPsychol (BPS) Reg Psychol (PSI) MB BCh BAO BSc MSc MBA AFBPsS
Dr. Ian Gargan is Clinical Director and co-owner of Fresh Start. Ian has a rich professional background including medicine, psychology and clinical management. Ian holds a BSc in Applied Psychology from University College, Cork, and MSc in Forensic Psychology from the University of Leicester, an MB BCh BA BAO from Trinity College, Dublin and an MBA from Smurfit Business School, Dublin.
He established Gargan Consulting over ten years ago and this has involved the provision of clinical management to many areas of health care for the Health Service Executive Ireland and various Irish State Departments, including Justice and Children. Ian is also a Medical Doctor and gained medical training in a number of Tertiary Care Hospitals.
Ian is a Chartered Forensic Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and is Chair Elect of the Division of Forensic Psychology for 2011. He is also a Registered Psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), as well as the American Psychological Association.
In addition to Fresh Start, Ian is co-owner and Clinical Director of Imagine Health.
Dr. Ben Charnaud, MB, BSc, BCh, MRCPsych
Dr. Ben Charnaud is our Consultant Psychiatrist. Ben is a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and is registered with the Medical Council in Ireland. Having worked extensively as both an Adult and Child Consultant Psychiatrist, with a special interest in Psychotherapy and Addictions, he brings with him over 30 years experience. He not only is available to work directly with the young people placed with us, but also when required with extended family members, given his dual qualification. Ben also offers supervision both individually and for teams within the organisation.
Ben has been entered on the Specialist Register for Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychiatry in Ireland.
Dr. Martina Tobin, BA, PhD, Chartered Forensic Psychologist (BPS)
Martina received a BS Applied Psychology (1990) and a Research Doctorate in Forensic Psychology in 1996 (UCC), subsequently working as a lecturer in Forensic and Abnormal Psychology at the University of North London.
She has over ten years experience of working with a forensic client base, having joined the Prison and Probation Services in London. Her work with the Probation Services included assessment and the provision of individually tailored therapeutic programmes for adolescents with mental health and behavioural needs.
Having returned to live in Cork, Martina continues to do consultancy work for the Prison and Probation Services in London and also lectures part-time in UCC.
Martina began working for Fresh Start in September 2009, working with clients in both the Munster and Leinster regions. Martina is married to Bryan and they have three children; Simone, Ailsa and James
Fiona Kelly Meldon, BA, MA, AFPsSI, Reg. Psychol, Consulting Psychologist
Fiona graduated from University College Dublin, with a Masters degree in Psychology in 1980, and subsequently completed further training in Neuropsychology in London.
For over 30 years, Fiona has worked with people with acquired head injury, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), mental health and behavioural difficulties, specific and general learning disabilities. She has extensive experience in training and education, acted as Course Coordinator for the MA in Applied Psychology in UCD for four years, and for three years held the position of Placement Coordinator for the Doctorate Programme in Clinical Psychology in UCD.
She has acted as a Supervising Psychologist in clinical practice and with research programmes and works on a consultancy basis with Fresh Start. She is a Registered Psychologist and a Full Member of both the Clinical Psychology and Educational Psychology Divisions of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). She is also a member of the Council of the PSI.
Aoife O'Malley BSc (Hons) CurrOcc, Occupational Therapist
Aoife achieved a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Trinity College, Dublin. She has since worked in a variety of settings, including rehabilitation of adults with neurological impairment, dementia care, accident and emergency, acute medicine and paediatrics. Aoife is also on the steering group for Burren Chernobyl Project, a charity working wiht children in Belarus, who have been affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. She is an active member of the Association of Occupational Therapists in Ireland and is involved with advisory groups aimed at developing occupational therapy services in Ireland. Aoife began working with Fresh Start in July 2011, working with children and adolescents in the Munster and Leinster regions.
Dr Jane McNicholas M.A. M.Sc., DClinPsychol. Reg. Psychol., Clinical Psychologist
Dr Jane McNicholas is a Clinical Psychologist. She holds an MA (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Aberdeen, an MSc in Forensic Psychology from Glasgow Caledonian University, and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Edinburgh. Jane has extensive experience in clinical practice with children and adults, including neuropsychological assessment. As a Clinical and Consulting Psychologist with Fresh Start, Jane has vast experience in dealing with complex clinical presentations, including aggravated grief reactions, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and severe depression. She also has experience in treating survivors of sexual and physical trauma, and working with children and adolescents with attachment disorders.
Jane has specialist training in the field of addictions and motivational interviewing. Her therapeutic interests include Systemic Family Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy.
Here's some of our other staff
Services Manager: Joanne Condon
Joanne is responsible for the management and leadership of the Munster Services. She attended University College Cork, where she completed a Bachelor Degree in Social Science. She then went on to complete a Masters in Youth & Community Work, also at UCC. Outside of her work with Fresh Start, Joanne has gained experience in a number of different areas since 1998, including Youth Work with Foroige Youth Organisation, Social Care Work in a mainstream Residential Centre in the H.S.E., as well as experience working with Homeless Youth and the Probation & Welfare Service. Joanne was originally employed by Fresh Start in 2002 as a Social Care Worker, but has worked as a Team Coordinator since 2003. Joanne has just completed a Diploma in Leadership through Dublin Institute of Technology. Joanne lives in Cork with her husband, Barry and two children, Abby & Aaron.
House Manager (Leinster) : Alison Whelan
Alison Whelan has worked for Fresh Start for 6 years. Alison has a BA in Applied Social Studies in Social Care. She began in Fresh Start as a child-care worker and now manages the Tallaght unit (Sceal Eile). Alison oversees the day to day running of the unit, and interfaces with the local social services/workers. Alison is also a trained therapeutic crisis intervention (TCI) instructor. She lives in Carlow with her husband and young daughter.
Child Care Worker (Munster): Nicola Dale
Nicola started working with Fresh Start in February 2002. She has a Diploma in Applied Social Studies and Social Care from Athlone Institute of Technology. She worked with physically disabled adults and teenagers for three and a half years before moving to Fresh Start.
Since joining she has worked with many children ranging in ages from 11 to 18. There have been good days and bad days. Nicola describes working with these kids as an eye opener. Some of them have had very troubled backgrounds and have made her realise just how lucky she was to have grown up in a secure family unit.
Nicola believes her role to "put in place a safe environment in which a child can learn and develop." She, alongside her colleagues "try to have clear and consistent boundaries so that a child can feel safe and secure."
Nicola believes that "overall working with Fresh Start for me has been a positive experience. From meeting and building up relationships with the young people and staff, I have made lifelong friends and have kept in touch with some of the young people as they have moved on. Through my seven years of working with Fresh Start I have grown more confident as a person through supervision which is provided by Fresh Start."
Senior Child Care Worker (Leinster) : Conor Mc Glinchey
Conor Mc Glinchey qualified from Ballyfermot College of Further Education with a HND in Applied Social Studies- Social Care in 2004, from IT Sligo with a BA in Applied Social Studies- Social Care in 2005 and from NUI Maynooth with a BA in Applied Social Studies- Youth & Community Work in 2006. Conor has previously worked in the areas of intellectual disability and residential childcare. Conor has been with the Faces Team since 2008 and enjoys music, the outdoors and surfing in his spare time.
Services Manager: David Rose
David Rose oversees the management of Cosan Nua and Coed Glas residential childcare units. He also coordinates staff training and support services for the organisation. He originally trained as a psychiatric nurse in the UK and went on to manage a number of hospitals and services there before moving to Ireland and he has been with Fresh Start for the last 6 years. Born in Wales, he is a dedicated Welsh rugby fan. He now lives in the countryside in Laois with his family.
Denis Linehan: Senior Family Support Worker
Denis attended University College Dublin in 1996 and completed the Bachelors Degree in Social Science. After completing his studies, Denis worked with Cork Simon Community. During this time, he worked in the Emergency Shelter before transferring to the Day Centre. He then became the Youth Homeless and Drug Prevention Worker. Denis has been working with Fresh Start since 2005. Initially, he was employed as a Residential Childcare Worker, but is currently working with families in the community in his capacity as Senior Family Support Worker.
Denis lives in the countryside in County Cork with his partner, Julie. His daughter's name is Alana. Denis and his family also share their home with their cat, Sally, and their three dogs Ruby, Lexi and Alfie who keep them all on their toes! Denis' interests include sport, walking, fishing and golf. He enjoys watching Cork compete each year in the hurling and he is also a loyal Munster Rugby supporter.