Patrice Dockery and Lorcan Claffey were officially elected as Vice Presidents of Paralympics Ireland at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday, May 15th. The appointments mark a significant moment for the national governing body, as both bring a wealth of experience in sport, governance, and advocacy to their new leadership roles. Their election signals continued progress in strengthening the organisation’s commitment to excellence, inclusion, and athlete support ahead of a busy Paralympic cycle.
Patrice Dockery is a renowned Irish Paralympian and advocate for inclusive sport. With over 20 years of elite competition behind her, Dockery is one of Ireland’s most experienced Para athletes, known for her resilience, leadership, and commitment to promoting equality in sport.
Born with spina bifida, Dockery began her athletic journey with the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) at the age of 10 and quickly discovered a passion for wheelchair racing. She went on to represent Ireland at six consecutive Paralympic Games: Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, and Beijing 2008. Among her career highlights, she placed sixth in the 5000m at the Sydney 2000 Games—setting a new Irish record—and won gold at the 2001 European Athletics Championships. In 2008, she was honoured as Ireland’s flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Paralympic Games.
Off the track, Dockery has been a leading voice for gender equality and inclusion in sport. As a member of the IWA-Sport Women in Sport Committee, she has worked to increase female participation in para-sport and create more supportive, equitable environments for women and girls with disabilities. She firmly believes that bringing diverse voices into leadership helps deliver better outcomes for athletes and sporting communities alike.
In addition to her sporting and advocacy work, Dockery serves as an Executive Officer at Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs. Her combination of elite athletic experience, public service, and strategic leadership brings valuable perspective to her new role as Vice President of Paralympics Ireland, where she will help shape the organisation’s future during an important chapter of growth and opportunity.
Lorcan Claffey is an experienced finance professional and passionate advocate for inclusive sport. A Chartered Certified Accountant, he has held senior roles across the corporate, nonprofit, and voluntary sectors, including Partner at Newmarket Partnership and Chief Financial Officer of a U.S.-based property group. He currently serves as Financial Controller at St. Catherine’s Association, a nonprofit supporting children and young people with disabilities.
Lorcan joined the Board of Paralympics Ireland in 2022, initially serving as Finance Officer before being elected Vice President in 2025. In this leadership role, he helps shape the strategic direction of the organisation, bringing a strong focus on governance, athlete development, and equality. He is also a board member and Finance Officer at Recovery Through Art, Drama and Education (RADE) CLG.
A keen endurance athlete, Lorcan has used his passion for sport to raise funds and awareness for disability sport charities. In 2019, he participated in the Galway Cycle in support of Vision Sports Ireland, demonstrating his commitment to a more inclusive sporting landscape. His leadership combines financial acumen with deep community engagement—qualities that support Paralympics Ireland’s mission to empower athletes and promote equal opportunity through sport.
