I grew up in Ballyfermot, West Dublin, and for forty years I've lived in Rialto, in the south west inner city. I qualified as a social worker in Trinity College (1980), where I also completed an MLitt (1992) (Drugs & Community) and a PhD (2009 (Alcohol Policy)). Before college, and since graduating, I worked in youthwork, community development and social services, with a portfolio in practice, management, research and third-level lecturing. The themes of drugs (including alcohol), and community, feature in most of my work. I retired (December 2021) as coordinator of a Local Drugs & Alcohol Task Force in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown. I do independent writing on community and drug issues. I live with my partner Pat Tobin, and we have two adult children. For relaxation I write, cook and cycle around Dublin, and I also spend a lot of time on the Hook Peninsula in Wexford.
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