Meet the Team

My roots in retail can be traced back to 1966 in Limerick where my father owned a newsagency.

From 1976 to 2004 I operated a number of outlets in the City in forecourt and convenience. I have served as Branch Secretary, Branch President, National Executive Member and National President and believe that I am fully aware of the problems (and at least some of the solutions!) of our members.

Amy has been involved in the retail sector from a very young age. Amy has an honours degree in Services Marketing and since finishing college has worked for large multinational companies and Irish companies all within the Irish FMCG sector, with this experience Amy has excellent knowledge of the daily issues and struggles that face Irish retailers.

Amy aims to be as helpful and accommodating to all of our CSNA members in these difficult times.

Laura started with the CSNA in 2015 and holds an Honours Degree in Marketing as well a number of relevant post graduate diplomas. Laura’s background is in retail, she worked in a newsagents for over 6 years while in school and college before joining the CSNA.

Laura is an extremely efficient member of our team with enormous trade know how and skills, no query is too big or too small for her so please don’t hesitate to call her in the office at any stage.

Gus currently owns and operates a Spar store that is located at 17, Seaview, Stiles Road, Clontarf, Co. Dublin. In 2005 Gus was elected National President of the Association having been a member of the Executive Board for 4 years previously. Gus was re-elected to the National Executive in 2017. Gus has recently been appointed as National President for 2023/25.

Gus was awarded the Convenience Store Champion 2017 award at the Shelflife C-Store awards in November 2017.

Gus is currently involved in the Membership and Deals CSNA Sub Committees.

Sara has 17 years experience as store owner, trading under Daybreak brand, previously worked for Dunnes Stores while training as a teacher!

Sara is passionate about continuous training, particularly around peer to peer learning/ sharing of knowledge, experiences and ideas in the retail sector. Sara is looking forward to helping CSNA members in having current, up to date knowledge on matters necessary in the daily running of their stores, whilst always looking to future growth & trends. Elected to the CSNA National Executive in 2021, Sara was recently elected as National Vice President for 2023/25.

Sara is currently involved in the Alcohol & Tobacco and News & Mags CSNA Sub Committees.

Retail is a passion of Brian’s having been involved in it all his life. Brian has built up years of experience through being an independent retailer, part of a symbol group, a forecourt retailer and also a Post Master.  Brian has been part of the Spar retailer council for the last few years and has found this to be a invaluable and rewarding experience which he is excited to bring to CSNA members. Brian was elected to the CSNA National Executive in 2021.

Brian is currently involved in the Services and Legislation CSNA Subcommittees.

Joe operates Tierney’s Newsagents in Trimgate Street, Navan. It is a third-generation family business that was first opened in 1895 by his grandfather Joseph making it the oldest family newsagents in the country.

Joe has been President of CSNA in both 2000 and 2006 whilst being an ever-present member of the National Executive since 1995.

Joe is currently involved with the News and Magazines, National Lottery and the Services sub committees and is more than happy to help any member with a query on these sections.

John Paul has been a member of the CSNA for the past 19 years and has been involved in retail his whole life. John Paul’s retail education began in the family-run store in Howth, Co. Dublin. He then spent many good years managing a store for Andrew Kelly, a former CSNA NEC Member, from whom he learned a lot.

19 years ago, John Paul teamed up with BWG and opened his own store. John Paul was elected to the National Executive in 2019.

If you would like to make representation to the National President on key issues of concern or if you have any suggestions as to how CSNA can best serve its valued members, please send your comments FAO National President to info@csna.ie or call 045 535050.