Our Team
Aoife Kelly-Desmond
Aoife is a Managing Solicitor at Mercy Law Resource Centre.
Previously, she worked as a solicitor in A&L Goodbody and Matheson, where she advised commercial entities, in particular financial institutions, and public bodies on investigations, regulatory matters and complex litigation and disputes.
Aoife is Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of Plan International Ireland, an international charity that aims to advance children’s rights and promote equality for girls.
Aoife is a member of the Law Society of Ireland, a graduate of University College Cork and has completed post-graduate programmes in law and business disciplines with Queen Mary, University of London, the Leicester Castle Business School, DeMontfort University of Leicester, and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research.
Teresa Kelly
Prior to joining Mercy Law in April, Teresa previously worked as a solicitor in house and in private practice. Having originally qualified as a Barrister (called to the Bar of Ireland, England & Wales and NI), in 2008 she transferred to the role of solicitors in Ireland.
She has always had a keen interest in human rights. In addition to qualifying as a barrister and solicitor, she completed an M.Phil. in Reconciliation Studies at TCD. Her dissertation was titled: “Does the Human Rights Act and Good Friday Agreement Protect Ethnic Minorities in Northern Ireland?” She has worked extensively in general practice throughout her career. She has volunteered and worked for not-for-profit organisations, helping vulnerable members of our society. She is delighted to be able to contribute to Mercy Law’s team, covering the interim Managing Solicitor role.
Erika Hayes
Erika Hayes is a solicitor at Mercy Law Resource Centre. Previously, she worked as a Legal Officer with Global Legal Action Network on corporate accountability for human rights abuses. She has experience as a volunteer lawyer with numerous human rights organisations in Ireland, the UK and Africa, including in access to justice for women and in refugee and asylum law. She has also worked in private practice and as a legal consultant in Dublin and London.
Adam Boyle
Adam Boyle is a solicitor with the Mercy Law Resource Centre. Previously, he worked with McCann FitzGerald LLP as part of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Department with a focus on matters involving fraud, defamation, and investigations. He also has experience in employment law, construction, and tax.
Adam is a graduate of Law (BCL) with Social Justice (International) from UCD. He has previously volunteered with FLAC and CLM as well as with a number of NGOs working with refugees, migrants, and people experiencing homelessness.
Kate Heffernan
Kate is a graduate of Law (LL.B) from Trinity College Dublin and was awarded a scholarship to undertake postgraduate studies (LL.M) at New York University (NYU).
Before training as a Solicitor, Kate worked as a Judicial Assistant in the High Court and also undertook a public interest law fellowship with FLAC in conjunction with the University of Washington. During her time at NYU, Kate participated in a Housing Law Externship, assisting the Legal Aid Society in the representation of tenants in New York City Housing Court.
Kate previously assisted with the work of Mercy Law Resource Centre both as a MLRC summer intern and later as a pro bono secondee from Arthur Cox.
Nuala Monaghan
Nuala has worked with MLRC as legal secretary providing locum and extra cover for periods since 2013, joining the team permanently in 2015. Nuala has worked for the legal profession for many years in small, medium and large legal firms. She has wide experience in all areas of law. Nuala has been involved throughout her life with issues that affect people on the margins of our society. During the 60s and 70s she was heavily involved in the Dublin Housing Action Committee which campaigned for the alleviation of the housing crisis at that time. During the 90s she was involved in the Regeneration Programme for Rialto contributing to the general issues of the programme and in particular to the area of employment and training , acting as the independent member on the Board of the FAS Management Project.
Siobhán Tracey
Siobhán works in Communications and Fundraising at Mercy Law Resource Centre. Previously, Siobhán worked in communications with Concern Worldwide in Seoul, Korea.
Siobhán is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin and qualified and worked as a solicitor before leaving legal practice to focus on communications. She is currently studying part-time for a MSc in International Public Policy at Queen Mary of London University to deepen her understanding of policy issues as they relate to the NGO sector.
Miriam Nally
Miriam a Certified Public Accountant joined Mercy Law Resource Centre in November 2021 as their part time Finance Administrator. She has over 25 years’ experience working in finance roles in the not for profit sector, in health & education organisations. In her spare time Miriam is an active member of her local Soroptimist International Club, and her local parish community.
Kathleen Byrne
Kathleen Byrne is a Sister of Mercy who has worked in the field of education in the United States for a number of years. She has had wide experience of interacting with people of diverse cultures and nationalities, an experience she greatly appreciates. While living in Scotland, Kathleen was also involved in pastoral work. Kathleen is very happy to have the opportunity of being involved in the Mercy Law Resource Centre. Kathleen joined the MLRC team in September 2017.