Following a recent civil service competition, Ms. Éimear Fisher, Principal Officer, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, has been appointed as the first head of COSC, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. The new Office is tasked with developing the State’s response to tackling domestic violence and related issues.

A career civil servant, Éimear has worked in a wide range of posts from central Departments to State agencies.  Most of these have been in the justice area including the Legal Aid Board.  Éimear worked for many years in the Courts Service - where she served as Registrar in the Dublin Circuit Family Law Court, the Dublin Civil and Criminal Circuit Courts and the Central Criminal Court -  and in policy divisions in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.  In recent years, her work has been focused on cross-cutting issues, including an assignment as Deputy Director of the National Children’s Office, and a management position in the Department where she led recent efforts to streamline the State’s assistance to victims of crime.

Speaking following the announcement of her appointment, Éimear said "I am eagerly looking forward to working with people I already know and others I have yet to meet in the organisations which provide support to victims of domestic violence.  I am very much in listening mode and am confident that we can all work together to make a positive difference and to reduce victimisation in this complex and sensitive area."

10 June 2007