‘My dad is a Traveller and my parents really pushed me towards civil service’

Lucy McCann, executive officer in justice recruitment at publicjobs.ie, chats with Mary McCarthy about how she got into the role, how it has increased her confidence, and the pride and security she feels from working in the sector

‘My parents really encouraged me to go for the executive officer post,’ says Lucy McCann. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Mary McCarthy

In May 2022, before I graduated from my masters, I started applying for different roles in Dublin City Council, in culture and heritage.

I was put on a panel as they had a huge volume of interest and then my dad sent me an email about an internship running in the civil service for people from the Travelling and Roma communities.