Daithi O’Murchu Marine Research Station (DOMMRC)

John Murphy

Role: Director

Other Business Interests/CV: He established a mussel farm in 1984 (Fastnet Mussels Ltd.) and initially concentrated on growing and selling fresh mussels. Since then, through research and development, the company has expanded and diversified into the production of value added products for different shellfish species, many of his products and processes are patented. Mr. Murphy also has other varied business interests (a chain of exclusive fashion outlets – Monica John). .

David O'Neill

Role: Director

Other Business Interests/CV: Mr. O’Neill MA., M.Sc., MBA formerly worked in development finance with CDC (IFC - Word Bank/ UK equivalent) where he ran the marine investment division (100 Million in assets), prior to this he was also an external adviser of corporate finance for Greenstar Ltd. Co Dublin (Turnover €87 million). He has also worked in marine research and aquaculture and holds two masters degrees in Science from TCD and UCC and an MBA from TCD and has completed further studies at the TUCK School of Business in Dartmouth, New Hampshire, USA.

Julie Maguire

Role: Research Director and Manager

Other Business Interests/CV: The central theme to her work has related to molluscan aquaculture and fisheries with particular reference to stress and husbandry. In 1998 she was awarded her PhD; “Aspects of the biology of cultured scallops (Pecten maximus L.) with particular reference to stress” She then was employed until 1999 at the Seafish Industry Authority in Scotland as a shellfish research officer. Then she returned to UCC to work as a post-doctorate on an EU project “Evaluation and improvement of shellfish dredge design and fishing effort in relation to technical conservation measures and environmental impact (FAIR CT 98-4465). In 2002 she became projects officer for the Environmental Research Institute at UCC which involved direct project management of some (mostly marine projects) of the ERI’s >200 projects. For three years she has successfully written and co-ordinated a variety of national and international projects including INTERREG and FP6. In 2005 she began work as Research Director of the Daithi O’ Murchu Marine Research Station where she manages all of the Stations research projects. She has been an expert evaluator for the FP7 Marie Curie and SME schemes. Over the years, she has made a valid and valuable contribution to the development of aquaculture both nationally and internationally, through successful participation in research programmes, regional development and training initiatives.