Legal & Investigations

Legal and Investigations Team

You can find out more info on the team and its work here.  

The Legal & Investigations Department is comprised as follows:

Chief Executive with direct responsibility for L&I Department: Mairéad McCafferty PQH LLM

• A Graduate of both Queen’s and Ulster Universities, Mairead has been an Advocate for Human Rights & Equality for many years on behalf of marginalised, vulnerable groups including the LGB&T Community, Young People outside mainstream education and those involved with the Care and Justice systems.  Having joined NICCY in February 2012, she took on direct responsibility for the L&I Department due to organisational restructuring following the public sector voluntary exit scheme.  Mairead studied International Human Rights Law obtaining her Master of Laws degree in 2009.  

Senior Legal and Investigations Officer – Fiona Hunter LL.B (Hons)

• Fiona completed her undergraduate degree in law at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne and graduated in 2010. She completed her Certificate of Professional Legal Studies from 2010-2012. In 2012 she qualified as a solicitor and worked in all areas of private practice, with a focus on Legally Aided matters. Fiona joined NICCY in February 2019

Senior Legal and Investigations Officer – Peter McGettrick B.C.L (International)

• Peter completed his undergraduate degree in law at the National University of Ireland, Galway and graduated in 2008. He was enrolled as a solicitor in Northern Ireland in 2011, gaining experience in many areas of private practice thereafter. In 2017, he took the opportunity to gain international experience in the Global South, volunteering for 1 year with a children’s charity in Peru and 1.5 years working voluntarily with a Human Rights NGO in Western Uganda, advocating for some of the most vulnerable people in the world, including the rural poor, children and refugees. Peter joined NICCY in November 2020.

Legal and Investigations Officer – Robert Hunter MLegSci

• Robert studied law at Queen’s University Belfast and graduated in 2010. He was enrolled as a solicitor in Northern Ireland in 2014 and worked in private practice thereafter.  His main area of work has been in family law, particularly in matters arising with regard to the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. Robert has worked with NICCY since January 2020.

Legal and Investigations Officer – Shari Holmes LL.B Hons DipSol

• Shari studied Law at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown and graduated in 2013. Shari attended the Institute of Professional Legal Studies at Queen’s University and enrolled as a Solicitor in 2017. She gained experience in many areas of private practice, before joining NICCY in September 2020. Shari is a Committee Member of the Law Society of Northern Ireland.

Legal and Investigations Advice Officer – Deborah Crawford LL.M  

• Deborah has been working in the voluntary sector for over 15 years. She joined NICCY in November 2013, before this she worked as an Outreach Worker for the Citizens Advice Bureau, a Welfare Officer for WAVE Trauma Centre and an Advice Worker for Victim Support. She graduated in 2016 with an LL.M in Human Rights Law.