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Monday, 3rd February 2025

New CEO appointed at Drogheda Homeless Aid

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Shane Kelly, the newly appointed CEO at Drogheda Homeless Aid.

The Drogheda Homeless Aid charity has announced the appointment of Shane Kelly, a native of Beaulieu, as their new Chief Executive Officer.

Kelly takes up the role at a time of change for the organisation as it takes up the challenge of providing shelter for the homeless in Drogheda and the surrounding area but also considers expanding its activities into Meath.

Currently, the organisation is the only one of its kind in South and Mid-Louth (the other is Simon Dundalk) but also hopes to provide new services in Meath which so far has no hostel for homeless persons.

Mr Kelly comes to the job with significant leadership experience especially for his time as CEO of the Psychological Society of Ireland where he spearheaded major structural and professional advancements, especially in strategic planning and execution.

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He was educated at St Joseph’s CBS Drogheda but also International TEFL College of Ireland, Dublin Business School, The Bill Keating Centre for Television Studies, PCI College, Irish Academy of Television, and Independent College Dublin. From September 2019 to December 2022 he was CEO of the Psychological Society, leading and driving change within the society related to the PSI’s mission and strategic plan.

From 2007 to 2017 he was Professional Services Manager with the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and he has also served as a voluntary board member and chairperson of Clann Mor, an organisation supporting adults with intellectual disabilities.

Shane said he was very much looking forward to the challenge of leading Drogheda Homeless Aid, an organisation with an outstanding record of standing side by side with people experiencing the hardships of homelessness and which he knew had deep roots in the community.

“I am honoured to take on the role of CEO at Drogheda Homeless Aid, an organisation with a long-standing commitment to standing side by side with people experiencing homelessness. The challenges ahead are significant but, with the dedication of our team and the continued unwavering support of the local community, we will continue to provide new opportunities to assist those in need. I look forward to working with our fantastic team, volunteers, and stakeholders to build on the incredible legacy of the organisation”, he said.

Drogheda Homeless Aid, which was founded by the late Sr. Cait Fitzgerald of the Daughters of Charity in the 1980s, provides shelter for homeless men at its hostel at North Strand but also runs a number of transition houses throughout Drogheda but also in Navan.

Its present manager Tracy McAuley and assistant manager Mihaela Balan are both moving on from the organisation. DHA board member Paul Murphy thanked them for their service to the homeless over the last five years. He said that Ms McAuley and Ms Balan had served Dha with distinction and the board very much appreciated their efforts in running an organisation 24/7 in often very difficult circumstances.

Mr. Murphy also thanked the staff and CE workers of Drogheda Homeless Aid for all the work they were doing to support the homeless and to keep the organisation running efficiently.

He said the organisation would not exist without the generosity of the people of this region but also Louth County Council, Meath County Council and the HSE.

The board of the organisation has been reconstituted and now comprises existing voluntary directors along with newly-recruited members.

Donations may be made through the Drogheda Homeless Aid website or in person at the hostel at North Strand, Drogheda.

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