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Our Leadership​

A Word from our Chairperson

On behalf of myself and my fellow Directors I want to assure all of those who help Dóchas Midwest Autism Support that the Board of Directors place huge importance on the good governance of the organisation. 
We are fully compliant with all of the rules and regulations governing the charitable sector and we are fully up to date with our fillings to the Revenue Commissioners, CRO and the Charities Regulatory Authority.
Denis Doherty

Denis joined the board of Dóchas Midwest Autism Support in 2006. He has three children, two of whom are on the autism spectrum.

He became involved when his middle son was diagnosed with ASD and secondary ADHD. Denis has been involved in the fire protection industry for nearly 30 years. He is the joint owner of Limerick Fire Protection for the last five years.
Dr Michelle O’Donoghue

Michelle joined the Board of Dóchas in 2025. Michelle is a Speech and Language Therapist and a Lecturer at the University of Limerick. She holds a PhD in Allied Health. Her thesis developed peer-based supports for autistic people, their families, and educators. Michelle is a co-founder of the Autism@UL Special Interest Group (SIG). Autism@UL SIG is a network of people and organisations from within UL. It spans the wider community sharing an interest in autism. It aims to lead and contribute to initiatives and research focused on inclusion and creating a neurodiversity affirmative environment.

Michelle hopes to use her knowledge and expertise in communication and research to effectively capture the impact of the initiatives Dóchas engages in, and to contribute to future planning and development.
Gareth Devlin

In 2016, Gareth joined the Dóchas Midwest Autism Board. Gareth is a parent to three young boys, two of whom are on the Autism Spectrum. He serves as the Charity’s Treasurer.

He joined Dóchas soon after his middle son Jamie received his ASD diagnosis. Gareth works for Dell Technologies and is the EMEA Director of the Global Takeback organization. Prior to working for Dell, Gareth was the High-Performance Program Manager for Athletics Ireland, leading athlete services & performance up to Olympic level. Gareth holds a BSc. Hons in Mathematics & Computing from Loughborough University and is currently studying a Diploma in Business Innovation & Digital Transformation.
Orla Canty

Orla Canty is the most recent addition to the Board of Dóchas having joined in the Summer of 2020. Orla has two young boys on the Autism Spectrum, each with distinct needs. She has a first-hand appreciation of the challenges facing families with young people on the spectrum. She values the service Dóchas provides in the Mid-West area. Previously, she worked in Quality Systems and Human Resources. Her twenty years in industry reflect broad experience. Orla completed a Masters in Human Resource Management at the University of Limerick in recent years.

This is her first time volunteering in the charity sector. She has used her knowledge and experience to organise governance processes. She has organised documentation for Dóchas. Compliance with the Charity Regulator’s Governance Code is critical to the smooth running of all aspects of Dóchas to meet the Charitable purpose and mission which is to improve outcomes for those impacted by autism. Good Governance ensures that all efforts made by the Board and staff are in the best interest of all members of Dóchas.
Sheila Lowney

Sheila is one of the founding members of Dóchas Midwest Autism Support (‘Dóchas – Hope for people with Autism’ as it was originally called). Her youngest child, Órna, was diagnosed with Autism at a time when there was little awareness of the condition.

Sheila, her husband P.J., and likeminded parents founded the organisation in 1997 as they recognised the need for increased awareness of Autism and supports and services for their children.

Since 1997 – under direction from the board of Dóchas, on which Sheila acted as Chairperson for a number of years – volunteers, parents, families and friends have worked relentlessly to raise social awareness and much-needed financial aid to help Dóchas secure facilities and services for people with Autism in the Mid-West. Dóchas’ achievements to date include being instrumental in the opening of Redhill Respite Care Centre and Redhill Primary School, an ASD-specific primary school as well as units. Dóchas continues to strive for educational settings tailored to the needs of post-primary pupils with Autism.

Sheila’s vision for the future of Dóchas is that, with the commitment of our members and friends, the organisation will continue to strive for improved services and educational settings for Autism and provide a haven of hope and support for present and future generations of people with Autism and their families.