Consultant Neurosurgeons
Mr John Caird
Prof Darach Crimmins
Ms Taffy Mandiwanza
Mr Kieron Sweeney
Mr John Caird
Mr John D. Caird. MD, MMedSci, FRCS (SN)
Mr Caird has been a consultant paediatric neurosurgeon at Temple Street Children’s University Hospital and Our Lady’s Children Hospital, Crumlin now Childrens Health Ireland and Beaumont Hospital since December 2008.
He graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 1993 and completed his core surgical training in Dublin between 1994 and 1998. His general neurosurgical training was in Newcastle (UK), Dublin and Belfast from 1998 to 2007.
He undertook fellowships in paediatric neurosurgery at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto in 2007 and the Royal Liverpool Children’s Hospital, Alder Hey in 2008.
His sub-specialist interests in children are tumours of the brain and spinal cord, craniofacial surgery and treatment in children with cerebral palsy.
Mr Caird has a strong track record in education and research. In 2006, he was awarded a postgraduate neuroscience MD in the pathogenesis of intracranial aneurysms and has taught neuro-anatomy at RCSI both as lecturer in 2003 and as Schering Fellow in Neuroscience in 1998. He has published articles on brain tumours in children, head injury and intracranial aneurysm..
Prof Darach Crimmins
Prof Darach Crimmins FRCS(SN) National Clinical Lead
Prof Crimmins is the National Lead for Paediatric Neurosurgery, a Clinical Professor at University College of Dublin School of Medicine and Director of the Irish Neurosurgical Training Programme. He has worked as a consultant paediatric neurosurgeon at Children’s Health Ireland and Beaumont Hospital since 2010.
Prior to that he worked as a Consultant Paediatric Neurosurgeon at Leeds General Infirmary from 2005-2010, undertook a fellowships in paediatric neurosurgery in Great Ormond St Hospital, London in 2005 and Hôpital Necker Enfants, Paris in 2004
His sub-specialist interests in children are:
- Tumours of the brain and spinal cord
- Treatment of hydrocephalus and CSF disorders
- Neuro-endoscopy (minimally invasive surgery) of the brain
- Complex spinal dysraphism
- Neurosurgical treatment of spasticity in cerebral palsy
Prof Crimmins previously ran the audit of all paediatric neurosurgical activity for the UK and Ireland for the British Paediatric Neurosurgery Group. He is an examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons Intercollegiate Specialty Board Examination in Neurosurgery.
Ms Taffy Mandiwanza
Ms Tafadzwa Mandiwanza
Ms Tafadzwa Mandiwanza completed her undergraduate medical degree, MB BCH BAO, at University College Cork in 2005. She then underwent neurosurgical training in Dublin and Cork, obtaining the FRCSI (Neurosurgery) in 2019. She completed a subspecialty fellowship in Paediatric Neurosurgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital in September 2021. She commenced a Consultant Neurosurgeon position at CHI Temple Street in December 2021 and is the first female Paediatric Neurosurgeon in Ireland.
Her interests include: spinal dysraphism, management of complex tone particularly Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy, management of hydrocephalus, neuro-ocology and endoscopic neurosurgery. She has developed an interest in Quality Improvement and Leadership with a diploma from the Royal College of Physicians.
She strongly believes that every person deserves respect and kindness. That is the very least she can do for the children and parents in her care.
Mr Kieron Sweeney
Mr Kieron Sweeney MN,BCh,BAO, MD, FRCSI (SN)
Mr Kieron Sweeney is a consultant neurosurgeon at the National Centre for Neurosurgery, Beaumont Hospital and Children’s Health Ireland at Temple St hospital. He is an honorary senior clinical lecturer at the Royal college of surgeons in Ireland. During his training he received several medals and awards. He completed fellowship training at Hopital Femme Mere Enfant, Lyon, France and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queens Square, London.
He has special clinical and academic interest in epilepsy and tumours including modelling of seizure onset, tumours and advanced imaging techniques.
Advanced Nurse Practitioner: Michelle Doyle
T + 01 8921753 | E: michelle.doyle@childrenshealthireland.ie
Michelle is the Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner (RANP) in Paediatric Neurosurgery and has been working with the Neurosurgery team since it commenced in Temple Street Childrens University Hospital in 2008. Michelle completed her Diploma in General Nurse training at St. Vincent’s Hospital/UCD, Postgrad Sick Children’s Nursing at UCD/Temple Street, Nursing Degree at RCSI, Masters in Nursing/CHSE at Trinity College, Nursing Postgrad Neuroscience at RCSI/Beaumont Hospital, Nurse Prescribing at RCSI and Advanced Nurse Practice at Trinity College.
Prior to her present role, Michelle worked as a Clinical Nurse Educator on St. Gabriel’s ward in Temple Street Children University Hospital that specialises in caring for neurosurgery patients for seven years and also as a Paediatric Neurosurgery Nurse Specialist for three years. Michelle has led and facilitated many nursing study days at both a local level and national level and is the founder and Module Co-ordinator of the National Paediatric Neuroscience Module based in CHI @ Temple Street.
Paediatric Neurosurgery Clinical Services Co-Ordinator:
Emma Holohan RCN/RGN/BSc Nursing Management
T + 0873315861 | E: emma.holohan@childrenshealthireland.ie
Emma has been a member of the neurosurgical team since neurosurgery services commenced in Temple St Children’s University Hospital in 2008 in the role of Clinical Nurse Manager 1 and 2 on St Gabriel’s Ward (2003-2020). This ward specialises in the care of neurosurgical patients.
Emma has successfully completed the Professional Stand Alone module Children’s Neuroscience Nursing Care developed by the School of Nursing and Human Sciences at Dublin City University and has a first class honours BsC in Nursing Management (RCSI).
Emma began working in the new role of service co-ordinator in May 2021 where her responsibilities include co-ordinating neurosurgical admissions, theatre scheduling, all aspects of service development and co-ordination with internal and external partners such as the Outreach Paediatric Education Programme and development of treatment pathways
Paediatric Neurosurgery Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Team
T + 01-8921753 | E: neurosurgery.cns@childrenshealthireland.ie
The CNS’s role within the Neurosurgery team is to provide specialist nursing care to all Neurosurgical children and their families. They provide education for parents and the children of the Neurosurgery service. The CNS team act as an advocate for children and their families and are a constant link in providing advice and support to children and their families throughout their patient journey with the neurosurgery service. Other activities include referrals to other members of the Neurosurgery team, support and training of nursing staff and participation in audit and research.
Ms Sarah Dennedy
Ms Ciara O’Prey
Ms Annette Reddy
Ms Cora Vizzard
Ms Sarah Dennedy
Sarah Dennedy RGN/RCN
Sarah has worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Paediatric Neurosurgery for 3 years. She is a Registered General Nurse (RGN) and Registered Children’s Nurse (RCN) having worked in Beaumont Hospitals (Adult) Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit for 7 years and CHI @Temple Street (Paediatric) Intensive Care Unit for 9 years.
She has completed her Nursing Diploma,Nursing Degree (Bsc), Post Graduate Nursing Diploma in Children’s Nursing and most recently the Children’s Neuroscience Care Module through Dublin City University.
She was awarded the Gold Medal for nursing academics and clinical achievement during her Postgraduate Diploma training.
She is a member of the Neurosurgical Nursing Team who won the Extraordinary Clinical Team Recognition Award through CHI in 2020.
Sarah is passionate about neurosurgery nursing and delivery high quality nursing care to both children and their families.
Ms Ciara O’Prey
Ciara O’Prey RGN/RCN, BSC in Nursing Management
Ciara joined the Neurosurgery team in November 2021. Ciara previously worked with the Spina bifida team/Neurosurgery team for three years caring for children with open Myelomeningocele , Closed Spinal Dysraphism and their Families .Prior to this Ciara worked in St. Michael’s B and the neonatal high dependency unit in Temple Street for 12 years as a senior staff nurse and has a background in adult renal nursing.
Ciara initially completed the Diploma in General nursing in DCU/ Beaumont. Following on from that Ciara completes the Higher Diploma in Sick Children’s Nursing in UCD/Temple Street. Ciara Completed the BSC IN Nursing management in RCSI .
Ciara has attended various Neurosurgery Study days. Ciara has completed the Neuroscience Module. Ciara has completed various certificate courses such as Leading in Uncertain times, Caring for a child with Life limiting Condition, Clinical Nurse specialist Professional Programme (NMPDU) , Certificate In Counselling and Psychotherapy (Griffith College).
Ms Annette Reddy
Annette Reddy RGN RCN
Annette completed her Bachelor of Science (Hons) nursing degree in Children’s and General Nursing at Dublin City University where she undertook her training in Temple Street Children’s University Hospital and James Connolly Memorial Hospital Blanchardstown.
She has worked as a staff nurse on St. Gabriel’s ward, the speciality neurosurgical ward for a number of years before moving to the role of Clinical Education Facilitator in 2018 for 3 years. As part of this role, she has taken a lead role in conducting clinical research & audit, staff development and orientation training along with lecturing and quality improvement projects at both neurosurgical and local hospital service level. She has also completed the Professional Stand Alone module Children’s Neuroscience Nursing Care developed by the School of Nursing and Human Sciences at Dublin City University.
Annette joined the neurosurgery team as Clinical Nurse Specialist in August 2021 as part of the expanding neurosurgical service in Childrens Health Ireland @Temple Street.
Ms Cora Vizzard
Cora Vizzard RGN/RCN
Cora completed her nursing Diploma in adult nursing in the Mater hospital in 1997 gaining nursing experience in Plastic surgery, Gynaecology, Urology .
She completed her postgraduate Diploma in Children’s nursing in UCD training in Temple Street University hospital in 2002 .
She worked as a senior staff nurse on Gabriel’s ward for 16 years gaining advanced experience in neurosurgery since it’s inception to Temple Street in 1998 .
During this time she attended multiple Neurosurgery Masterclasses and International conferences and completed Children’s Neuroscience Nursing module in Dublin City University .
She joined the neurosurgery team as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in 2019 .Since joining she was delighted to be part of winning Extraordinary Clinical Team award in 2020 across the CHI sites.
Neuro-Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist
Miriam Hunter RCN/RGN/Bsc Nursing Studies/Post Grad Dip in Child and Adolescent Nursing Studies
T+ 0873571826 | E: miriam.hunter@childrenshealthireland.ie
Miriam is the neuro-oncology clinical nurse specialist in the Childrens Neurosurgical Centre at Childrens Health Ireland (CHI) at Temple St. She has been in this role for over 15 years and prior to this worked in the paediatric neurosurgery ward in Beaumont Hospital in both the Clinical Nurse Specialist and Staff Nurse role
Miriam works closely together with the National Children’s Cancer Service (NCCS) in CHI at Crumlin. Her role involves collaborating with a large range of specialists who together form the National Paediatric Neuro-oncology Multidisciplinary team.
Miriam provides information, support and advice about brain and spine tumours to parents and their children. The path from surgery to diagnosis and treatment can sometimes take a number of weeks. Miriam first meets the family in CHI at Temple St where she explains and organises the next steps post surgery . She also organises follow up with the NCCS and is involved in the neuro -oncology outpatient clinic there. Miriam provides a crucial link between the cross site services for neuro-oncology patients and their families in CHI at Temple St and Crumlin and St Lukes Hospital, Rathgar
Clinical Nurse Specialist in Spina bifida for neurosurgery and General Health
Rachel Clarke RNID/RCN
Emma Day RNID/RCN
Rachel Clarke RNID/RCN
Rachel Clarke RNID/RCN
Spina Bifida Nurse Specialist for Neurosurgery and General Health
T+ 018921768| E: spina.bifianurse@childrenshealthireland.ie
Rachel completed her Bachelor of Science nursing degree in intellectual disability nursing in TCD followed by her higher diploma in Children’s nursing in DCU. She is currently completing her Msc. in Children’s complex care and palliative care in NUIG.
Rachel worked as a staff nurse in St. Michael’s B/ NHDU in Temple Street and as a client care manager in the community before she joined the Spina Bifida team in 2021.
The role of the Spina Bifida CNS in the spina bifida multidisciplinary team is to provide specialist nursing care to children with spina bifida and their families from the antenatal period until age 16. She provides nursing support and education to both inpatient and outpatients
Emma Day RNID/RCN
Emma Day RNID/RCN
Spina Bifida Nurse Specialist for Neurosurgery and General Health
Emma completed her Bachelor of Science degree in intellectual disability nursing and her higher diploma in Children’s nursing both in Trinity College, Dublin. She is in her final year of her MSC in Children’s complex care and palliative care in University of Galway.
Emma has a background as a staff nurse in St. Michael’s B/ NHDU in Temple Street and in children’s disability services before she joined the Spina Bifida team in 2022.
Emma’s role in the spina bifida multidisciplinary team is to provide specialist nursing care to children with spina bifida and their families in both Crumlin and Temple Street from the antenatal period until age 16. She provides nursing support, coordination and education to both inpatient and outpatients.
Administrator
T+ 018784254 | E: neurosurgery@childrenshealthireland.ie
- Emily Vickers