Chairman, IECE
Most Reverend Seámus Hegarty
Most Reverend Seámus Hegarty, Bishop of Derry, is the current Chairman of the Irish Episcopal Council for Emigrants.  He received his education in Kilcar N.S., St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny and St Patrick's College, Maynooth (1959-'66).  He graduated in Celtic Studies and is fluent in Irish, English and German.

As a member of the IECE, the Bishop regularly visited Irish and Donegal emigrant groups in Britain and the United States and was largely instrumental in setting up an emigrant mission in Munich. As a member of this council and as a northern bishop, he could not but be concerned about the ‘Troubles’ and his voice was heard clearly and courageously in condemnation of abuses of the law and atrocities.

In 2004 Bishop Hegarty established the Support Irish Abroad (SIA) campaign, which raises funds to assist vulnerable and marginalized Irish emigrants living abroad.

Brian Hanley
Coordinator Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas (ICPO)
Emigrant Officer, Irish Episcopal Council for Emigrants (IECE)

A native of county Sligo he graduated with honours from University College Dublin with a degree in Business and Legal Studies. He then studied for his LLM in Criminal Justice, again graduating with honours. During that time Brian developed an interest in immigration and refugee law – gaining experience in a local immigrant and refugee advice centre. He was also a contributory author to the ‘Subsidiary Protection – Case law Project’ undertaken by the Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights, based in University College Cork.
He was appointed Coordinator of the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas (ICPO) and Emigrant Officer with the Irish Episcopal Council for Emigrants (IECE) in October 2008.

Secretary/Administrator
Mrs. Caroline Navagh
Caroline is a native of Navan, Co. Meath and has been secretary to the IECE since May 2002.