Lay Member
Career and Experience
Dr Geraldine O’Hare is a Consultant Forensic Psychologist, a Chartered Scientist and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS), and the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). Dr O’Hare worked for 30 years in the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland as the Head of Psychological Services and Director of Rehabilitation with the Probation Board for Northern Ireland. She led on many justice and rehabilitation initiatives and was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to study in the USA and received the BPS Presidential Award for Innovation, Leadership and Practice for her work. She is a graduate from Queens University Belfast, University of Ulster, University of Leicester and the University of Roehampton, London.
Dr O’Hare now works independently across a number of health and justice sectors nationally and internationally. She has extensive Chair and Board member experience and brings her governance and regulatory skills, and her professional training and expertise to NIJAC. Dr O’Hare is the Chair and Lead Psychologist for the BPS training for Forensic Psychologists across the UK and she is the Chair of the Society’s Northern Ireland Branch.
Period of Appointment and Remuneration
Dr O'Hare was appointed on 4 June 2026 for a term of four years. A daily rate of £355.25 and a half-day fee of £177.63 (4 hours or less) are payable. An hourly rate of £44.41 is payable for Commission activities other than attendance at scheduled meetings and attendance at training, conferences, outreach and diversity events.
Other Public Appointments and Remuneration Received:
Dr O’Hare is President of the Pharmaceutical Society NI which is remunerated at the daily rate of £335 and Chair of the Risk Management Authority Scotland which is remunerated at the daily rate of £335. She is also remunerated for other roles which are non-public appointments.
Political Activity
Dr O'Hare has not been engaged in any political activity in the last five years.