Our mission is to advocate for better awareness and clinical advancements, promote research and provide support to those living with FND in Ireland.

Our vision is a society that understands FND, where those living with FND experience a better quality of life.

Joan Johnston is an experienced healthcare and nonprofit leader with over 20 years across physiotherapy, chronic disease management, charity leadership, and national advocacy. She became Executive Director of FND Ireland in January 2026, bringing a strong record of strengthening national patient organisations, advancing integrated care, and embedding lived experience in health‑system reform. As a parent of a child with a rare neurogenetic condition involving epilepsy, functional seizures, and complex developmental needs, she also carries personal insight into the challenges faced by people living with FND.

Before joining FND Ireland, Joan spent almost six years as General Manager of COPD Support Ireland, leading strategic development. She secured the organisation’s first HSE service level agreement enabling the expansion of its national network of COPD support and exercise groups. She also strengthened the organisation’s public profile, acting as national spokesperson and leading high‑impact awareness and education campaigns.

Originally trained as a physiotherapist, Joan worked across acute, respiratory, and community services before moving into leadership roles. As Executive Director of FND Ireland, she now leads strategy, advocacy, and public engagement, ensuring lived experience shapes service design and delivery.

Catherine’s daughter was diagnosed with FND in 2021 at 15 years of age. Catherine met Eamon through her daughter’s advocacy for FND at the BT Young Scientist. Since then both Catherine and her daughter have given presentations on FND to both local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) teams and at the national CAMHS psychologists conference.

Catherine’s early professional career was in retail management before moving on to study early childhood education. She currently manages a small preschool where she is setting up an after-school service. As her preschool is a registered charity, she has also gained valuable experience in the running of a not for profit organisation.

Catherine volunteered for a short time with a global FND charity before joining Eamon in setting up FND in Ireland. Catherine wants to use her experience as a parent of a young daughter with FND to reach out to other parents and family members and is passionate in advocating for early intervention to support those living with FND.

Jackie joined the board of FND Ireland as director in August 2024. Jackie’s background is in the area of youth and community work. She has extensive experience working in the area of family support and more recently in disability services. Jackie really values the importance of peer support and a safe environment for people to access support and be treated with empathy and compassion. Research has shown the benefits of peer support is vital to allow people to build up links with people with similar lived experience, some of the outcomes include improved mental health and overall health outcomes and is a valuable resource in managing lifelong conditions.

Jackie became aware of FND in April 2023 when her then 14 year old daughter was diagnosed with FND. The past year has been a battle in trying to access support and services for a teenager. As a parent Jackie really would like to see the development of support and services for teenagers with FND and for those caring for them. She wants greater awareness of FND within the healthcare sector and for teenagers with FND to be encouraged to advocate for their own needs.

Colm is delighted to be joining the board of FND Ireland in May 2025. Colm’s background is in financial management and corporate governance. He has over 25 years’ experience working in the public and private sector across several different industries. He was previously Chief Financial Officer of an Irish renewable energy business. Colm is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. His experience will be very valuable to oversee our regulatory and governance compliance.

Daniel McCabe, a clinical neuroscience doctorate researcher at Queen’s University Belfast’s School of Psychology, joined FND Ireland as Research Liaison in September 2025. He also works for the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT) as an associate psychologist in clinical psychology.

Daniel’s research investigates how the dynamic interactions of sensorimotor, interoceptive, attentional, behavioural, and emotional processes contribute to the development, maintenance, and rehabilitation of Functional Neurological Disorder. The aim of his work is to advance neurorehabilitation approaches, minimise dysfunction, and deepen a theoretical understanding of FND.

More broadly, Daniel’s academic and clinical interests centre on the relationship between the brain and mind, approached through historical, philosophical, neuroscientific, and neuropsychological lenses. He is particularly committed to translating research into clinical practice.