Our Staff

Aoife Smith

Community Worker: Domestic Worker & Care

Aoife Smith has coordinated MRCI's Domestic Workers Action Group (DWAG) since 2008. She has responsibility for a number of campaigns which affect the rights of domestic workers. She is also developing work in the au pair area to improve protections and rights for this group. Having graduated from journalism, she has freelanced in both radio and print journalism. In 2008, Aoife graduated from a Masters Degree in Development Studies at Kimmage Development Studies Centre, Dublin.

Hilary Royston

Finance Manager

Hilary undertakes all core financial and administrative tasks in MRCI, and ensures accountable and well-managed financial and administrative systems. She is a qualified ACCA accountant. Before joining MRCI, Hilary worked as a Programme Support Officer for an international NGO based in Dublin, focusing on school improvement in Sub-Saharan Africa. She also served with the US Peace Corps in Malawi as a Community Health Worker from 2003-2005. She has an M.Phil in International Peace Studies from Trinity College Dublin and a degree in European Studies from the University of Limerick.

Aoife Murphy

Communications Officer

Aoife joined MRCI in December 2012. As Communications Officer, she is responsible for internal and external communications, including MRCI publications, social media and this website. Aoife has a BA in Language & Cultural Studies from UCC and an MA in International Relations from DCU, and previously worked with a range of human rights organisations and arts groups in Dublin and Cork. She is originally from Cork but tries not to mention that more than four or five times a day.

Virginija Petrauskaite

Legal Officer

Virginija Petrauskaite has been working with the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland for the past 7 years providing assistance, advice and advocacy to migrant workers on their rights and entitlements. Virginija has extensive experience in the area of immigration, employment rights, trafficking for forced labour and forced labour, including legal advocacy on behalf of migrant workers seeking redress for employment rights violations before the Employment Redress Mechanisms. Virginija holds an MA in International Relations from Dublin City College and a Professional Diploma in Employment Law from University College Dublin.

Dearbhla Ryan

Community Worker

Dearbhla has been working in MRCI since December 2012. She is responsible for supporting migrant participation ranging from relationship building and outreach meetings to leadership training and development. In particular Dearbhla supports the work of the Justice for Undocumented campaign. Dearbhla has a BA in History from UCD, a MA in European Studies from Aarhus University, Denmark and is currently pursuing a MA in Community and Youth Work at NUI Maynooth.