Keenan, Marie

Dr Keenan is a criminologist, forensic psychotherapist, restorative justice practitioner and registered social worker https://people.ucd.ie/marie.keenan

Her clinical and research background and commitment to inclusive engagement ground her views and policies, informed by the values of justice, equality and an ethic of compassion and care.

The abuses and ill-treatment of the most vulnerable in Irish society, past and present, are recurring and consistent.  Dr Keenan has a strong and active record in advocating for and helping individuals and families in these circumstances and supporting them to have their voices heard. Her commitment is to bring this expertise and advocacy to the floor of the upper house if elected.

She has held appointments in child protection (Brixton, London) (1976-79), adult and adolescent mental health (Cork University Hospital and St John of God’s) (1979-1984), the Irish Probation Service (Mountjoy Prison) (1984-1987), the Rutland Addiction Treatment Centre (1987-1992) and Independent Practice with victim/survivors of sexual crime (1992-1995). She was a founding member of the Granada Institute (Dublin) (1995 - 2000) for men who committed sexual offences against children, where she was co-ordinator of the treatment programme.

Marie serves on and has contributed to several national and international statutory and professional bodies, including:

1. Institutional Abuses Working Group, European Forum for Restorative Justice (2021-present).
2. Global Advisory Council, Restorative Justice International (US) (2020-present).
3. Higher Education Authority’s Advisory Group on Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in Higher Education Institutions in Ireland (2021-present)
4. Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice, UCD (2010-present).

5. The Restorative Justice Council, (UK) (2022-2023)

6. Gender Based Violence Working Group, European Forum for Restorative Justice (2020-2022).

7. Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, England and Wales (2019).

8. Gillen Review of Responses to Sexual Violence following the Belfast Rape Trial, Northern Ireland (2018)

9. Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse, Australia (2015-2017).

10. Family Therapy Association of Ireland (Chairperson, 2010-2012; Vice Chair 2008-2010).

She is a published author of several prestigious and influential monographs and articles, including:

Transforming Justice Responses to Historical / Non-Recent Institutional Abuses (forthcoming March 2025) (with A-M. McAlinden & J. Gallen) (Oxford University Press) (Open Access)

Sexual Violence and Restorative Justice: Addressing the Justice Gap (2022) (with E. Zinsstag) (Oxford University Press) (Open Access)

Child Sexual Abuse and the Catholic Church: Gender, Power and Organisational Culture (2012) (Oxford University Press)

Restorative Responses to Sexual Violence: Legal, Social and Therapeutic Dimensions (2017) (with E. Zinsstag, eds) (Routledge)

Broken Faith: Why Hope Matters (2013) (with P. Claffey & J. Egan, eds) (Lang)

Manifesto

If elected I will be a strong and authoritative voice for:

1. Significant improvements in the child protection and welfare system
2. Structural and cultural reform of organisations and institutions in which institutional abuses occur
3. Improved criminal justice outcomes for victims of sexual and gender-based violence
4.  Increased range of justice options for victims of crime, including restorative justice

Expanded and targeted mental health, disability and social services for vulnerable children, young people and families

 

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