Meet the Emigrant Services Advisory Committee
The Emigrant Services Advisory Committee (ESAC) formerly known as the Díon Committee, was established in 1984 to advise the Government on issues of concern to the Irish community in Britain. Its work is coordinated by the Embassy of Ireland in London (with Embassy officers serving as Chair and Secretary of the Committee). Committee members have a background in the Irish community sector in Britain and serve in a voluntary capacity.
The Committee advises on the delivery of the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme in Britain, grants from which amounted to £6.4million for the 2024-25 programme. This includes assessing applications made to the programme. There are currently 12 Committee members.
Annette Mahon
Originally from Dublin, Annette has lived in the UK for twenty years.
Since completing her PhD, she has worked in higher education in a number of roles, most recently at the University of Cambridge where she is Deputy Head of the Centre for Teaching and Learning.
She is a former Fellow and trustee of Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge.
Arveene Juthan
Music producer and DJ Arveene has been a host for the Irish Music Week since 2019, is on the board of Fist Music Contact, on the Community advisory board for the St Patrick’s Festival London via the London Mayors office.
He boasts a long list of both TV, Radio and Print media on his CV, having worked on shows with Spin FM, 2fm, RTÉ and MTV in the past. Arveene has constantly been a promoter of Irish Music on international fronts. Hosting events as a promoter and booker in various venues over the past 25 years. Festival experience as a DJ has also led to native Dubliner being asked to curate and programme acts and music at Various festivals around Ireland, London and Europe.
His studio production has seen him remixing and producing for acts like Bon Voyage, Kneecap, The Prodigy, Kelis, Mango & Mathman, Saint Sister, Talos, Really Good Time, Ria Rua and more.
Caitriona Carney
Caitriona Carney has a degree in law and has worked for 25 years across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.
Her experience has focused on driving innovation and supporting services to address inequalities. Caitriona has worked with many charities who support people who have experience homelessness.
She is currently working for the Care Quality Commission as an inspector. Her role position at the Care Quality Commission places her at the heart of ensuring quality and safety in adult social care services across England.
Catriona Logan
Director of Celtic Media Festival, is an accomplished media professional with over 15 years of experience spanning production, event management, and industry leadership.
Her career began in television production, where she developed a strong foundation in content development, editorial planning, and logistical coordination across a variety of genres. She has since transitioned into a senior leadership role within the media sector, overseeing the delivery of international events and fostering collaboration among broadcasters, producers, and creative professionals.
Her work reflects a deep understanding of the media landscape, with a particular interest in amplifying regional voices.
Emma Smith
Emma Smith is Artistic Director and CEO of Liverpool Irish Festival and a founding director of Culture Network LCR CIC.
Using cultural connections and active approaches to engaging communities, the Festival’s developed its arts and culture profile expanding into heritage with the Liverpool Irish Famine Trail and formation of the Cultural Connectedness Exchange Network.
Pre-Festival Emma was Director of LOOK/15 (Liverpool International Photography Festival) and Head of Creative Enterprise at The Bluecoat. A Liverpool fine art and theatre graduate, with 25+-years’ experience in the art, culture and events sector, she’s contributed to successful funding bids totalling over £6m.
Gerry Molumby
Originally from Thurles , Co. Tipperary , Gerry Molumby has been involved in welfare and cultural issues for Irish people in Britain for over four decades.
Founder of Triskellion Theatre Company (1996) , Gerry has been the Artistic Director of Nottingham's Irish Festival for many years and leads on the organisation of Northampton's annual James Joyce Bloomsday. Gerry is also a regular contributor to The Irish Postnewspaper.
Grainne Mellon
Grainne Mellon is a barrister at Garden Court Chambers in London specialising in human rights and civil liberties. Grainne studied at Trinity College Dublin and the London School of Economics.
She is the Vice- Chair of the Bar Human Rights Committee, the international human rights arm of the Bar Council.
She formerly taught International Human Rights Law at the LSE where she was also a Fellow at the Centre for Human Rights. Grainne sits on the Advisory Board and is a former Chair of the London Irish Lawyers Association.
John Coyne
John Fitzgerald Coyne is an established and respected senior leader working at a national and international level, undertaking key roles to transform commercial functions within private and public sector organisations.
His career began in Irish tourism working with Irish Ferries (B&I Line) and then Stena Line (Sealink), in 1991, he became the first Commercial Director for the global brandLiverpool Football Club where he broadened their commercial and business development portfolio. Away from his professional career John has been involved with organisations of importance to the Irish Community and the future of Irish - British relations.
He is a former Chief Executive of The Irish Post, has played Gaelic Football for John Mitchells, Liverpool and has been a member of the Emigrant Services Advisory Committee since 2024.
John Delahunty
Born on Tyneside to Fermanagh and Tipperary parents, John has worked in social housing for most of his career.
Since 2012, John has been Chief Executive of Innisfree Housing Association, a landlord of 600 homes based in North London and originally set up by Irish Community activists in the 1980s to counter the discrimination in housing being experienced by the London Irish at that time. Innisfree continues to identify as an Irish organisation, with the majority of tenants having an Irish background.
The not-for-profit landlord works in partnership with a number of London Irish advice, welfare and cultural organisations, whilst also serving the wider community of Londoners.
Liam Haughton
Member of the Tyneside Irish Cultural Society, Liam was born in Bedfordshire to parents from Wexford and Meath.
He has worked in the Utilities and the Civils industry for over 35 years in Ireland, Australia and Britain. Liam was instrumental in bringing natural gas to Northern Ireland.
He is a keen follower of GAA sports and boxing and helps out with Dunston Amateur Boxing Club.
Niamh O’Donnell-Keenan
Niamh is the former Finance Director of the Telegraph Group. She is a chartered accountant and former Vice-Chair of the London branch of the Chartered Accountants of Ireland.
Previously, Niamh was Chair and now serves as a trustee of Proms at St Jude’s, a registered charity. She is also a former board member of the Irish Women’s Survivor Support Network (UK).
Vincent Jordan
Vincent was born in Birmingham in 1954, of an Irish father and an English mother. From an early age to the present day, he enjoyed Irish traditional music. His father was a fiddle player, having been taught by members of the travelling community in his native County Mayo.
Vincent served for over 30 years in the police service before entering a career as a music teacher at a local college qualifying, via a Cert/Ed and the successful completion of TTCT – a course for teaching Irish traditional music delivered by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. He later served two terms as president of Comhaltas.
Vincent has volunteered with the Birmingham St. Patrick’s Festival, the Birmingham Irish Society, Birmingham Irish Association, and has been a governor at two local schools.