Legal rights group FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) announced the departure of its Director General, Noeline Blackwell, on Friday 22 January. She has led the organisation for 10 years.
Commenting on Ms Blackwell’s move, FLAC Chairperson Peter Ward SC said “Noeline Blackwell has made a deeply significant and lasting contribution to the development of FLAC as an organisation and more widely to the promotion of equal access to justice in Ireland. During her ten years as Director General, she has helped FLAC bring a spotlight on the legal issues impacting on the poorest and most marginalised people in Irish society.”
“Noeline has been a committed and tireless advocate on behalf of people in this country, managing an expert team of staff at head office while also supporting the expansion of our voluntary advice services throughout the country. Added Mr Ward: “Noeline’s time in FLAC coincided with Ireland’s plunge into deep recession and she ensured that FLAC responded to the legal needs of so many in Irish society who faced unemployment, unsustainable debt, inadequate social welfare provision and poverty”.
On behalf of the FLAC staff and board, Mr Ward wished Noeline every success in her future work and campaigning. Noeline will continue in her post at FLAC until she leaves to take up her new role as CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre in March.