Allen O'Connor, Ireland

Allen is a retired banker and has held many financial and management positions in his career. He is Chairman and past Treasurer of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland and one of its three Honorary Lifetime Members. He is on the MSIF Board, MS Ireland Board and a past treasurer of the European Multiple Sclerosis Platform (EMSP). Allen is National Chairman of the Disabled Drivers Association, Ability Enterprises, Shopmobility Ireland and a board member of the National Citizens Information Phone Service.

Allen has been a disability activist since his involvement as an active member of the “Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities” on his retirement from banking due to his MS. As a member of the Commission, Allen was one of the driving forces behind the publication of "A Strategy for Equality" in 1996. Married to June with two grown-up children; he was diagnosed with MS in 1984.

Allen was also MSIF's Profile of the Month: December 2007