About Us

Vicky Phelan

Former Steering Group

Lorraine Walsh

Former Steering Group

Lorraine Walsh is a founding member of 221+ CervicalCheck Patient Support Group. Lorraine was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 34, and found out later that an incorrect reading of her smear test delayed her diagnosis. Lorraine has worked tirelessly as a patient advocate since the start of the CervicalCheck debacle. She was also one of the patient representatives on the CervicalCheck Steering Committee, whose members include representatives from the Department of Health, the HSE and the Irish Cancer Society. Lorraine resigned from the CervicalCheck Steering Committee in December 2019.

Lorraine was an active member of the Steering Group from 2018-2023.

Lorraine lives in Galway with her husband Gary.

Rosie Condra

Former Steering Group

Rosie Condra was a member of the 221+ Steering Group in 2020-2023. Rosie is part of the original cohort of 221+ members, and has been actively engaged since becoming a member. Rosie works as a hospital nurse. This, along with her own personal experience as a survivor of the CervicalCheck debacle, makes her input to 221+ invaluable.

Rosie lives in Drogheda with her family.

Stephen McMahon

Former Steering Group

Stephen McMahon is the Director and Co Founder of the Irish Patients Association, whose mission is to ensure that the patient is kept at the centre of the Irish Health system. It does this by advocating for the needs of patients to be paramount while working in partnership with health providers. 

In addition to his policy-making, standard-setting, regulation, education and research experience,  his 30 years in the private sector with a multi-national oil company has given him extensive expertise in areas such as procurement, operations, finance and marketing.

Stephen was a member of the Steering Group from 2018 - 2023. Stephen remains on the 221+ CLG Board of Directors.

Gráinne Culliton

Steering Group

Gráinne Culliton joined the Steering Group in October 2023 having been a Patient and Public Partnership rep for some time prior to this. Gráinne has contributed to many interesting projects in recent years including being part of the 221+ Engagement Group on the joint audit and disclosure research report with the National Screening Service.

In 2014, Gráinne was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer, resulting in life changing medical treatment. She is very keen to see massive changes in approach and attitude, to improve dramatically the level of health-care for women in Ireland, and volunteers her time to help achieve this.

Caoimhe O'Neill Forde

Steering Group

Caoimhe O‘Neill Forde became a member of the Steering Group in September 2023 having supported 221+ and fellow members as a Patient Representative since in 2022.  Caoimhe was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2012, at the age of 26. In April 2018 following Vicky Phelan’s high court battle she was informed that her slides had been incorrectly read, and her diagnosis had been unnecessarily delayed resulting in additional treatment.

Caoimhe’s aim is to ensure that cervical check screening processes and their management are carried out correctly, with full accountability from the HSE, and that there is no place in Irish society for the non-disclosure in the medical industry that accompanied the cervical check scandal. She aims to help 221+ work with the medical professions and systems to work towards an honest open health system, where women are treated with respect and dignity, where women can have full faith in their medical teams and medical treatment, as well as improve awareness of women’s health issues and opportunities in Ireland.

Stephen Teap

Steering Group

Stephen Teap is a founding member of 221+ CervicalCheck Patient Support Group. Stephen lost his wife Irene to cervical cancer in July 2017. After her death he was informed that Irene had been part of the CervicalCheck audit. A year after his wife’s death Stephen helped launch the 221+ Patient Support Group. He is also one of the patient representatives on the CervicalCheck Steering Committee, whose members include representatives from the Department of Health, the HSE and the Irish Cancer Society.

Stephen lives in Carrigaline with his two sons Noah and Oscar.

Evelyn (Lyn) Fenton

Steering Group

Evelyn (Lyn) Fenton joined the steering group committee as a patient rep in January 2022. Lyn is part of the RCOG group of people failed by Cervical check.

Lyn had cervical cancer in 2015, and in 2019 found out that her cancer could have been prevented. There were 4 misread smears, and 4 opportunities to prevent cancer. Lyn is passionate about ensuring that no other woman in Ireland has to endure this sort of failure again. She wants a better, clearer and more honest screening service for women in Ireland – not just in cervical cancer screening, but for all women’s screening services.

Liz Yeates

Steering Group

Liz Yeates is the CEO of the Marie Keating Foundation and has been on the 221+ Steering Group from the beginning. In 2008, following a successful career in the private sector, Liz moved to the not-for-profit sector and joined Concern Worldwide where she led the Corporate & Major Donor Fundraising team for a period of 6 years.

As a survivor of both malignant melanoma and bilateral breast cancer, Liz had had her own direct experience of cancer and joined the Marie Keating Foundation in March, 2014 as Director of Public Affairs. She was promoted to CEO in March 2015.

Niamh Ryan

Consultants and Staff

Niamh Ryan joined 221+ in August 2023 as Membership Administrator.

Niamh brings over a decade of experience in marketing and events management, in both the arts and corporate sectors. She has a personal interest in people centered care and survivorship.

Elizabeth Farrelly

Consultants and Staff

Elizabeth Farrelly is the Membership Coordinator in 221+ having first joined the team in March 2022.

Elizabeth brings over 10 years’ experience as a business and policy analyst in the public sector in Ireland and Canada. At 221+, Elizabeth co-ordinates the provision of supports to members and contributes to the communication and advocacy work of the group.

Lily Fox

Consultants and Staff

Lily Fox joined 221+ as Communications Coordinator in Spring 2022. She has previously worked in communications in academia and the arts/human rights. She has volunteered with community groups for the past 5 years and has a particular interest in working towards people-centered services and dignity for all across society.

Ceara Martyn

Consultants and Staff

Ceara Martyn first joined the 221+ staff team in February 2020. Starting as Membership Administrator, she has since moved on to the role of 221+ Manager.

Ceara brings a wealth of experience working in the charity and community sectors, largely working with membership-based organisations to support their needs and amplify member voices.

Padraig McKeon

Consultants and Staff

Padraig McKeon provides communications support and expertise to the 221+ Group. He brings 30+ years of hands on experience working as an advisor, a manager, a governor and a leader with organisations in each of the public, the private and the nonprofit sectors.