Who We Are
Meet the Team
Ashling Burns
Manager Energy Team
Ashling is a recent graduate who joined the team in 2022, having completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Data Analytics a 1-year long addon to her Honours Degree in Business and Management both were obtained from Dundalk Institute of Technology.
Ashling has had a varied career which includes roles within manufacturing and hospitality, while working in these various roles Ashling has developed exceptional teamworking skills, this along with her qualifications in Data Analytics make her a great asset to The Energy Team.
Elizabeth Kearney
Communities Retrofit Programme Lead
Elizabeth has a background in manufacturing and education where she developed her strength in communications. Her administrative experience in manufacturing was with a company who is a world leader in intelligent electric heating and renewable energy solutions. While there she also conducted company sponsored education programmes in the classroom. Elizabeth then continued in education assisting children with special needs.
A founding member of Dunleer Sustainable Energy Community, Elizabeth has successfully implemented the retrofit of 230 premises across County Louth. Her work has delivered sustainable energy solutions to residential, community and commercial premises. From the initial start-up of the scheme, Elizabeth’s communication skills in dealing with homeowners, installers and the SEAI has delivered on timelines and managed budgets to ensure successful implementations.
Gerry Reaburn
Energy and Renewables Specialist
Another founding member of the Energy Team, Gerry is an Independent Renewable Energy professional who specialises in Rural Community Development. He works as a trainer, lecturer, researcher and teacher, mainly from the Centre for Energy and Renewables at Dundalk institute of Technology (CREDIT). His main areas of work are in sustainable energy solutions for individuals, homes, farms, businesses and communities. He has worked extensively in these areas for over a decade and has been heavily involved with projects for state agencies, local authorities and local development companies. Projects undertaken include those under INTERREG, PEACE, LEADER, Horizon 2020 and REDZ.
Gerry holds a Masters and Post Graduate Diploma in Renewable Energy Systems, a Higher Degree in Product Design Engineering and Diplomas in Rural Development and Mechanical Engineering. He also holds a FETAC Level 6 qualification in Energy Crop Management.
Eugene led the establishment of Dunleer as a Sustainable Energy Community, and the successful implementation of community retrofit programmes across County Louth. With a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Human Resource Management Degree, he is also a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, London.
Patrick Mulroy
Projects Coordinator
Patrick returned to his hometown of Dunleer, Co. Louth in 2018 after living and working for 31 years in Ohio, U.S.A. His work experience in Ohio covered a variety of disciplines and his last position was Director of Global Telecommunications in the Contact Centre business. Patrick’s team was located across the U.S., U.K. and the Philippines. His team was responsible for the maintenance and upgrade of equipment to support a 24×7 business operation. Educated at the Dundalk Institute of Technology, Patrick’s workplace qualifications include Training Management from the Irish Management Institute.
John Havern
Retrofit Programme Assessor
John joined the Energy Team in 2021 with more than 20 years’ experience in the Construction Industry. He studied Civil Engineering at DKIT. While working with Louth County Council in the Energy Section, John was responsible for completing Energy Audits on Commercial and SME (Small Medium Enterprise) projects. This work made full use of the ILM/SEAI Certificate (Europe) which he obtained in 2016/17.
John has also completed the following courses
City & Guilds Domestic Insulation to Existing Dwellings
Certificate of Completion – City & Guilds Construction Management (Construction Building and Engineering Studies)
City & Guilds NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Buildings)
ISO 50001 2011 EN MS (implementation) – Internal Audit Refresher 2018
Fergus McCann
Technical Advisor Energy Team
Fergus brings his Engineering and Project Management qualifications plus a vast background of experience of domestic, community and commercial retrofits to the Energy Team. Working with homeowners, Fergus finds the best and most suitable solution to for each home. His experience in, and passion for, the field of sustainable energy inspired the people of his hometown to establish the Dunleer Sustainable Energy Community of which he is a founding member.
Fergus’s qualifications include a National Craft Certificate in Toolmaking, City & Guilds Certificate in Mechanical Engineering, Certificate in Digital Electronics, Certificate in Six Sigma & Design of Experiments, and is a Qualified BER Assessor and Renewables Installer.
Evelyn Burns
BEC Administrator
Evelyn holds an Honours Degree in Business and Management and also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Data Analytics, both completed at Dundalk Institute of Technology.
Having worked in a variety of roles in the manufacturing and hospitality sector, Evelyn brings this wealth of experience, professional qualifications and excellent communication skills into her role as BEC Administrator.
Joyce Kelly
BEC Administrator
Joyce joined The Energy Team in 2022 as a Community Employment Participant where she has developed teamwork and communication skills.
Joyce has been a part of the Inform and Inspire team, where she helped to deliver our Energy Action Exhibition in a number of Schools and Community Events.
As part of Joyce’s professional development, she has recently joined our Energy Upgrade Team, where she continues to develop her professional skill set.
Joyce brings passion and enthusiasm to her role in Climate Action. As a keen observer of the need for positive intervention.
Peter Byrne
Social Media & Video Content Specialist
Peter is a new member of the energy team that brings a wide array of experience from many positions and qualifications he as attained over the years that range from graphics and web design to video game design, copywriting, video editing where he also works on his own video projects through a number of YouTube channels in his spare time. Peters qualifications range from:
NFQ Level 8 certificate in Video Game Design (DKIT)
Bachelor of Science level 7 degree in Digital Technology & Design (DIT)
NFQ Lvl 7 Certificate in Business in Digital Marketing & Digital Media Management (DKIT)
FETAC Level 5 Certificate in Multimedia Production (Drogheda Institute of Further Technology)
BTEC National Diploma Information Technology (O Fiaich College 2004)
Peter is also a qualified Gym Instructor & Personal Trainer having acquired certification through Fit Cert & has recently completed an online QQI Train the Trainer course through DCM Learning in Drogheda Co Louth.
Jean McDonnell
BEC Administrator
Jean has recently joined the Energy Team in January 2024.
She previously worked in a busy newspaper office. There she gained valuable experience in Front Office Reception, Accounts Dept and Advertising.
She brings excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills to her new role.
Jean is an excellent team player and looks forward to embracing her new role with the Energy Team.