Officials

Paul Anderson, Official

Paul Anderson is a temporary official in the Communications Section, leading the digital media team within the union. In his role, Paul manages our digital media channels, produces content for the membership and supports external media engagement. Paul is a former senior journalist and editor at The Irish Times and Ireland sports reporter with Agence France Presse. He has also worked in local radio as a producer and presenter. Born in Belfast and educated in his home city and in Dublin and then London, Paul worked in the UK for the trade union, Manufacturing Science and Finance, which later merged with other unions to form Unite. He has worked in a variety of communications and marketing positions with organisations such as Quality & Qualifications Ireland, the Labour Party, the Irish Red Cross, the Institute of Directors, Royal College of Physicians and Enterprise Ireland.

Sandra Corrigan, Official

Sandra is a Temporary Official in the Conditions of Employment and Leadership section. Having graduated from St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, in 2000 with a Bachelor of Education degree, she worked in schools in Carlow and Kildare as a class teacher, Teaching Principal and Administrative Principal. Sandra holds a Master’s in Education and the Law from NUI Galway and has worked on secondment for a year as a Teaching Associate with the Teaching Council. Sandra currently works in our Conditions of Employment and Leadership section where she advises members on a wide range of issues. She is an active member of Carlow North INTO branch.

Miriam Long, Official

Miriam is an Official in the Legal, Industrial Relations and Equality section in INTO Head Office. Having graduated from Mary Immaculate College with a Bachelor of Education Degree, Miriam taught in several schools. In 2015, she became a Deputy Principal. During this time she completed a Bachelor of Law Degree. In 2021, Miriam qualified with a Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Leadership from the University of Limerick. Miriam was also a teacher representative during consultation on the draft primary curriculum framework. Her interests are education, law and management. As an official, Miriam supports and represents members on matters including parental complaints, staff relations, disciplinary matters, fitness to teach and equality issues. Miriam has always been active in the INTO.

Diarmuid Creedon, Official

Diarmuid began working in INTO head office as an intern in 2022 before being appointed a Temporary Official in the Education, Research and Learning section in January 2023. In this role, he  supports and represents members on a range of education topics including specific learning difficulties, summer programme management and curriculum delivery and development. Hailing from Baile Mhúirne, Co Cork, Diarmuid graduated from Mary Immaculate College in 2008. He holds a Master of Education in Specific Learning Difficulties (with a focus on Dyslexia), a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education Leadership & Management and is currently completing a Diploma in Education Law. Diarmuid has been a teacher in Ballinkillen NS since leaving college with a brief period working as a SEN/learning support specialist in Abu Dhabi. He has been involved with the union for many years and is vice-chair of the Muinebheag Branch.

 

Muireann Foynes, Official

Muireann is an official in the Legal, Industrial Relations & Equality (LIRE) section in INTO Head Office. Prior to being appointed as an official, Muireann was an intern for two years acquiring experience and expertise in the Conditions of Employment & Leadership and LIRE sections. Muireann advises, supports and represents members on a wide range of issues, including parental complaints, staff relations difficulties, fitness to teach matters, and disciplinary procedures. Muireann graduated from Mary Immaculate College in Limerick with a Bachelor of Education. She taught in a number of different schools in Cork and Dublin, including in urban and rural settings, prior to working in St Paul’s JNS in Dublin. Before joining Head Office, Muireann was an active member of the INTO at branch and district level, and was staff representative in her own school. She is also currently branch organiser for Dublin North East. She holds an Advanced Diploma in Education and Law from King’s Inns, and a Certificate in Data Protection Practice from the Law Society.

Lisa Gallagher, Official

Lisa Gallagher is an official in the Legal, Industrial Relations and Equality (LIRE) Section. Lisa holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Irish (NUIG), a Postgraduate Degree in Education (St Patrick’s College, DCU), a Master of Education (NUIG) and an Advanced Diploma in Law and Education (King’s Inns). Prior to her appointment as an Official, Lisa worked across both the Conditions of Employment and Leadership and Legal, Industrial Relations and Equality sections. As part of her responsibilities as a LIRE Official, Lisa will provide advice, assistance and representation to members across a range of issues including parental complaints, staff relations, disciplinary matters, fitness to teach cases and equality issues.

A native of Galway, Lisa began her teaching career in Scoil Éinde BNS in Salthill, where she taught for six years prior to joining the staff of INTO Head Office in 2019. During her time teaching, Lisa was an active member of both Galway branch and district 6 committees, as well as being a staff representative and an INTO lobbyist for Galway West.

Claire Garvey, Official

Claire Garvey is an official in the General Secretary’s Office.  A native of Cork, Claire has worked in INTO Head Office since 1997, initially in the Professional Development Unit (now INTO Learning), and latterly in the Education and Research Section. She has worked closely with the Education Committee, co-ordinating research, the organisation of the annual Education Conference and the biennial Special Education Conference. She has also co-ordinated the publication of the Irish Teachers’ Journal. Claire holds a BA in European Studies (UL) and a Masters in European Social Policy Analysis (NUI Maynooth).

Ashling Lynch, Official

Ashling was appointed as an Official to the Conditions of Employment section in the INTO in August 2019. Ashling is originally from Meath, and a graduate of UCD, and has spent nine years working in INTO Head Office. She has a breadth of experience across the office, most recently advising members on their leave, staffing, and other terms and conditions, and supporting the work of the Equality Committee.