Deirdre Malone

Ms Malone is a former global director within the legal policy team at Twitter. A graduate of Trinity College Dublin, she was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2006 and practised for several years from Garden Court Chambers.

She was previously executive director of the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) from 2014 to 2019, and legal manager of the Public Interest Law Alliance (PILA) from 2019 to 2021.

She has also worked in the legal department of UK NGO Liberty, in Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and as a legal researcher for the Attorney General’s Office.

Chief commissioner Sinéad Gibney said: “We are delighted to welcome Deirdre into the role of director of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. I am very much looking forward to working with her in progressing IHREC’s strategic goals in this and future years.

“Through her extensive experience in law and public policy, Deirdre brings a depth of knowledge of senior management and public affairs, and through her professional experience demonstrates a deep commitment to the promotion of human rights and equality in Ireland.”

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Laurence Bond, who retired from his position as director last year, following a long career in IHREC and the Equality Authority, and also Éimear Fisher who occupied the role as acting director for the last eight months.”