Luke Maples PC F.Sec.I.I. H.Dip.Sec.Man. Dip.Ed.

SII President

Luke Maples is the President of the Security Institute and a Peace Commissioner within the Irish judicial system. He has significant knowledge of the Security Industry, having worked in the sector for over 40 years at operational and management levels. He is a Member of the Security Institute’s Academic Board of Governors and Committees responsible for Training Specification Development in the Security Industry Sector including Static and Retail Security, Door and Event Security, Security Supervisor Skills, Dealing with Conflict and Physical Threats, Asset Risk Management, Cash in Transit, Professional Investigations Management, New Terrorism and Countermeasures and Managing Employee Safety.

He is a Fellow of the Security Institute. His extensive qualifications include a Higher Diploma in Security Management and Diplomas in Education and Training, Asset Risk Management, New Terrorism and Countermeasures, Major Award in Security Operations and Administration As the Institute’s Director of Compliance he is responsible for all matters relating to QQI Quality Assurance Programme. He is a Qualified Instructor, Evaluator and Assessor in all programmes provided by Security Institute

He serves on a number of Security Industry Standards Development Committees, including representing the industry on Private Security Authority working groups and the PSA Training Provider forum, he has represented the Irish Security Industry at European level on the CoESS ‘Confederation of European Security Services’ Working Committee – Guarding. He advises on security, risk and academic matters at corporate and regulatory levels in Ireland and Europe.

Larry Quinn PC MSc. F.Sec.I.I. H.Dip.Sec.Man. Dip.Ed. C.P.P.

SII Deputy President

Larry Quinn is a Peace Commissioner within the Irish judicial system and a former President of the Security Institute. He has 40 years’ experience within the military, police and private security sectors and advises on academic matters at corporate and regulatory levels in Ireland, US and Europe.

He is a Fellow of the Security Institute. His qualifications include a Master of Science in Security and Risk Management, Higher Diploma in Security Management and a Diploma in Education and Training. As the Institute’s Director of Academic Research he is responsible for all aspects of research, programme development, delivery, assessment and validation. He also works with the state accreditation body as an external authenticator.

He was previously chairman of the working group that drafted the EU Vocational Training Manual for Basic Guarding and a team member that drafted the EU Manual for Procurement of Guarding Security Services. He is co-author of the Security Institute’s Training Manuals. Larry was a former social dialogue representative in the EU and CoESS Quality and Training Chairman. He was the Irish Director of the KOMSI Project.

John Byrne BA Hons. F.Sec.I.I. H.Dip.Sec.Man.

SII Chief Executive Officer

Larry Quinn is a Peace Commissioner within the Irish judicial system and a former President of the Security Institute. He has 40 years’ experience within the military, police and private security sectors and advises on academic matters at corporate and regulatory levels in Ireland, US and Europe.

He is a Fellow of the Security Institute. His qualifications include  Higher Diploma in Security Management and a Diploma in Education and Training. As the Institute’s Director of Academic Research he is responsible for all aspects of research, programme development, delivery, assessment and validation. He also works with the state accreditation body as an external authenticator.

He was previously chairman of the working group that drafted the EU Vocational Training Manual for Basic Guarding and a team member that drafted the EU Manual for Procurement of Guarding Security Services. He is co-author of the Security Institute’s Training Manuals. Larry was a former social dialogue representative in the EU and CoESS Quality and Training Chairman. He was the Irish Director of the KOMSI Project.

Colin Roycroft M.Sec.I.I. H.Dip.Sec.Man. Dip.Ed.

SII Secretary

Colin Ryecroft has 30 years’ experience within the Irish Defence Forces and private security sectors. He currently advises on risk and security matters at retail corporate level in a major UK retail organisation with outlets in Ireland.

He is the Secretary and Legal Officer of the Security Institute. His qualifications include a Higher Diploma in Security Management and a Diploma in Education and Training. As the Institute’s Secretary he is responsible for all aspects of organisational compliance within the SII. He was a contributor to the Security Institute Skills Manual.

Other experiences include a number of years in the use of specialist security communications equipment and delivery and assessment of technology courses. In his role as Secretary of the SII he is instrumental in ensuring that the organisation is fully aware and compliant with the requirements of relevant legislation as a certification body and a ‘not for profit’ organisation.

Joe Leahy PC BA Hons. F.Sec.I.I. H.Dip.Sec.Man. Dip.Ed.

SII Director

Joe Leahy is a Peace Commissioner within the Irish judicial system and a former President of the Security Institute. He has 40 years’ experience within the Garda and private security sectors and advises on risk and security matters at corporate and regulatory levels in Ireland and Europe.

He is a former President of the Security Institute. His qualifications include an Honours Degree in Training and Education and a Higher Diploma in Security Management. He is a Fellow of the Security Institute. He was a contributor to the Security Institute Skills Manual. Other experiences include ten years in delivery and assessment of training courses.

He is an active participant in all major training initiatives in Ireland and contributor to a number of European training projects. In his role as President of the SII he is instrumental in overseeing the future progression of the SII as a certification body and a ‘not for profit’ organisation.

John Fitzmaurice BA Hons. M.Sec.I.I.

SII Director of Finance

John Fitzmaurice has 30 years’ experience within the Irish Defence Forces and private security sectors. He currently advises on safety matters at corporate level. He is the Director of Finance with the Security Institute.

His qualifications include a BA Hons in Safety Management; Higher Diploma in Security Management and a Diploma in Education and Training. As the Institute’s Finance Director he is responsible for all aspects of good financial governance within the SII. He was a contributor to the Security Institute Skills Training Manual.

Tony Harrison F.Sec.I.I. H.Dip.Sec.Man. Sec. Dip PIMA

SII Director

Tony Harrison has 30 years’ experience within the private security sectors. He is a Director of the Security Institute and advises on risk and security matters at corporate and regulatory levels in Ireland and Europe. His qualifications include a SII Higher Diploma in Security Management, Diploma in Professional Investigations Management and as a Certified Trainer for the RTV (Responding to threats and Violence).

He was a contributor to the Security Institute Skills Manual and other SII Manuals. He is an active participant in all major training initiatives in Ireland and has been a contributor to a number of European training projects.

Tony was Chairman of the Guarding Committee in the Security Institute. He chaired the SII committee in negotiations with the Private Security Authority on the new industry standard, PSA 28:2013.

Frank Moles F.Sec.I.I.

SII Director

Frank Moles has 30 years’ experience within the Irish Defence Forces and private security sectors. He currently advises on intelligence and security matters within the SII.

Garry Bergin PC; MSc; CSyP; CPP®; SRMCP®; CPOI®; CTSP®; F.Sec.I.I; FSyl; F.ISRM; EMII-M

SII Director

A Peace Commissioner appointed by the Minister for Justice and Equality in Ireland, Garry is a highly qualified and experienced security professional, with over two decades of security management experience across a variety of security industry sectors. He holds an MSc in Security Management and is currently studying towards a Professional Doctorate at the University of Portsmouth (Faculty of Business & Law), focussing on the development of training syllabuses for the security industry internationally.   He is an ASIS Board Certified CPP® (Certified Protection Professional) and also holds an SII Higher Diploma in Security Management, BTEC Security Survey and Design, SII Diploma in Professional Investigation Management, SII Certificate in Managing Employee Safety, Advanced Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Close Protection, Counter-Terrorism Instructor (accredited by NaCTSO – National Counter Terrorism Security Office), Train the Trainer (Level 6) and Critical Incident Management (certified by U.S. Department of Homeland Security)

Garry currently works as a Commercial Manager and Security Consultant at Manguard Plus. He has extensive security operations management experience and has previously managed some of the largest multi-national security contracts in Ireland. Some of his career milestones include:

  • Current Chair of ISRM Ireland Chapter and former Vice-Chair of ASIS Chapter 216 in Ireland
  • 2023 – Irish OSPA Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
  • 2023 – UK Security Institute “International Achiever of the Year Award”
  • 2022 Irish OSPA Winner in the Security Consultant category
  • 2022 Bill Zalud Award Winner for Professional Excellence in the Security Industry Internationally (awarded by IFPO)
  • Member of the Security Advisory Board of IFPO (International Federation for Protection Officers)
  • Fellow of the Security Institute of Ireland (F.Sec.I.I), Fellow of the UK Security Institute (FSyI) and Fellow of the Institute of Strategic Risk Management (F.ISRM)
  • Chartered Security Professional (CSyP) on the Register of Chartered Security Professionals in the UK
  • Security Risk Management Certified Professional (SRMCP)
  • Certified Technical Security Professional (CTSP) at Consultant level
  • Member of the SIA Expert Committee on Close Protection in the UK and Special Advisor to the Board of Executive Protection Professionals (BEPP) in the United States
  • IFPO Certified Protection Officer Instructor (CPOI®)

Garry also serves on the Security Institute’s Academic Board of Governors, where he also lectures on the numerous courses provided by the Institute in all areas of security. He also serves on other committees responsible for Training Specification Development in the Security Industry Sector, including Static and Retail Security, Door and Event Security, Security Supervisor Skills, Dealing with Conflict and Physical Threats, Asset Risk Management, Professional Investigations Management, New Terrorism and Countermeasures and Managing Employee Safety. He also advises the Board on Corporate Security,  Counter-Terrorism and Close Protection. He also advises on security, risk and academic matters at both corporate and regulatory levels in Ireland and Internationally. 

Darren Maples F.Sec.I.I.

SII Director

Darren Maples has 10 years’ experience within the private security sectors. He currently works within the Central Bank.  As one of the Institute’s Social Media Director’s, he is responsible for raising the SII social media footprint.

Gerry McNally PC F.Sec.I.I. H.Dip.Sec.Man. Dip.Ed.

SII Director

Gerry McNally is a Peace Commissioner within the Irish judicial system. He has 40 years’ experience within the private security sectors and advises on risk and security matters at corporate and regulatory levels in Ireland and Europe. He is a Director and Fellow of the Security Institute. He was a former President of the Security Institute.

His qualifications include an SII Higher Diploma in Security Management and a Dip.Ed. from NUI Galway. He was a contributor to the Security Institute Skills Manual. Other experiences include fifteen years in delivery and assessment of training courses. He is an active participant in all major training initiatives in Ireland and has been a contributor to a number of European training projects. His expertise includes conflict management, risk assessment and delivery and assessment of training courses.

In his current role he is instrumental in overseeing the future progression of the SII building and renovation programmes.

Simon Pears JP M.Sec.I.I. FISPA CSyP

SII Director of Global and European Affairs

Simon is a Chartered Security Professional and the Global Security Director with Sodexo which he joined in 2007. He has a unique ability to understand, design and implement, policies, procedures and processes that deliver cost-effective and highly efficient security solutions to many clients and an understanding of extensive security requirements and legislation in over 40 countries. He has worked extensively on delivering industry-leading regulatory compliance within Sodexo and built a network of key industry contacts. Simon was instrumental in building the current Sodexo security business and acted as project leader on a number of opportunities that will improve Sodexo’s ability to provide high-level security services to clients.

Simon’s qualifications are an SII Diploma in Security Management, Level 4 Manned Guarding, NOCN Level 2 in Security Guarding, BIIAB Physical Intervention and City and Guilds 7303 (PTLLS) & 1886 (Conflict Management). He is an Approved Trainer with Skills for Security for Communication and Conflict Management.

Simon is also the current Chair of the International Professional Security Association (IPSA).

Paul Kellett DSM, PC, MSc, CPP, SRMCP, CPOI, F.Sec.I.I, FSyI, F.ISRM.

SII Director

A Peace Commissioner appointed by the Minister for Justice and Equality in Ireland, Paul has over 35 years of front-line uniformed service, including 17 years of strategic management experience in a leadership role. He also has 14 years of military experience, during which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) and the Spanish Cross of Naval Merit with White Distinction by the Spanish Ambassador to Ireland, on behalf of the King of Spain. Paul achieved an MSc in Emergency Management with first-class honours from Dublin City University and was also awarded Student of the Year. He is an ASIS board-certified CPP (Certified Protection Professional), Counter-Terrorism Instructor (accredited by NaCTSO – National Counter Terrorism Security Office) and a Train the Trainer (Level 7). Some of his other career milestones include:

  • 2022 Bill Zalud Award Winner for Professional Excellence in the Security Industry Internationally (awarded by IFPO)
  • IFSEC Global Influencer / Thought Leader
  • Vice-Chairperson of the Emergency Management Institute of Ireland (EMII)
  • Vice-Chairperson of ISRM Ireland Chapter
  • Member of the Irish Security Advisory Board of IFPO (International Federation for Protection Officers)
  • Chartered Security Professional (CSyP) on the Register of Chartered Security Professionals in the UK
  • Fellow of the Security Institute of Ireland (F.Sec.II)
  • Fellow of the UK Security Institute (FSyI)
  • Fellow of the Institute of Strategic Risk Management (F.ISRM)
  • 2023 Irish OSPA Winner – Security Consultant of the Year
  • Security Risk Management Certified Professional (SRMCP)
  • IFPO Certified Protection Officer Instructor (CPOI)

Paul also serves as a Member of the Security Institute’s Academic Board of Governors and Committees responsible for Training Specification Development in the Security Industry Sector, including Static and Retail Security, Door and Event Security, Security Supervisor Skills, Dealing with Conflict and Physical Threats, Asset Risk Management, Professional Investigations Management, New Terrorism and Countermeasures and Managing Employee Safety.

Peter Murray – Dip.Crim.F. Psych, Dip Sec ARM,. CPO, M.Sec.I.I. T.T.

SII Director

Peter is a Director and Member of the Security Institute of Ireland. He has worked in the Irish Security Industry for over 25 years and is a time-served member of the Irish Defence Forces Reserve. He has many years of experience working in the locksmith sector and is the owner and managing director of Stoptheburglar.ie & Design Out Crime Ireland.

Peter is a Risk Assessor with the Security Institute of Ireland and his motto is “Problem Seeking before Problem Solving”

His qualifications include an SII Diploma in Crime Prevention, SII Terrorism Awareness and locksmith qualifications through the National Locksmith Training School (UK). Peter is currently the Chairman of the Locksmiths Working Group within the Corporate Division of the SII. Peter is also Accredited through the ICA Class B’ CPTED Practitioner. (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design)

Peter’s Credentials include:

  • CPTED Practitioner – ICA accredited Class B.
  • Dip.Crim.F.Psych – CPO – Dip.Sec.ARM – M.Sec.I.I.
  • Crime Reduction Consultant – Through the Principles of CPTED
  • Registered Security Consultant – Accredited by the Security Institute of Ireland.
  • Certified Protection Officer – Accredited by the International Foundation for Protection Officers
  • Train the Trainer Level 6. Distinction. Component Certification
  • Security Consultant   Lic No. SII131019781
  • Crime Prevention      Lic No. 40774l-QQI-L6
  • CPTED for Community Safety    Lic No. u6QhaNSjJk

Damien Mc Donough MSc CPP SRMCP CPOI F.ISRM M.Sec.I.I

SII Director

Damien is a Director and Member of the Security Institute of Ireland. He is a highly qualified security professional, with over 20 years of experience in the Military and private sector. He holds an MSc in Security Risk Management from the University of Leicester, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Healthcare in Austere Environments from the University of South Wales. He also has a Professional Certificate in Strategic Leadership and Organisational Change from the National University of Ireland Maynooth.

He is a board-certified Protection Officer Instructor with the International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO) and is also a registered security consultant and trainer with the security institute of Ireland (SII). He is also a board-certified ASIS Certified Protection Professional (CPP). Damien is also a registered Emergency Medical Technician with the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council of Ireland (PHECC). He also holds a QQI level 6 in Train the Trainer.

  • Member of the Security Advisory Board of the International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO)
  • Fellow of the Institute of Strategic Risk Management (F.ISRM)
  • Certified Protection Officer Instructor (CPOI) with IFPO

Shenan O’Mahony CPO M.Sec.I.I

SII Director

Shenan is a highly motivated professional with decades of experience supporting both public and private sectors in her capacity as a volunteer leader within the Civil Defence, Shenan brings a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience to the Irish Security Industry.

As a member of both the Security Institute of Ireland (SII) and the International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO) and an Outstanding Security Professional (OSPA) winner in 2022, Shenan brings over 20 years of experience to bear on all aspects of her engagement with her peers and customers.

Shenan has gained both academic and professional certification to support her career growth including, business management,

Certified Protection Officer (CPO), CFR – C instructor, Emergency First Responder (EFR), Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), Manual handling Instructor and is a certified and accredited Trainer.

As an advocate for life-long learning Shenan continues to broaden her knowledge base and is currently completing a QQI Major award in Security Operations.

As a female ambassador for the Irish Security Industry, Shenan has established the need for more women leaders across the industry and currently supports, coaches and mentors new female entrants to the security profession.