Our Team
MASTERS IN EDUCATION, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
MARK TONER M.ED FIITD
Mark has been involved in the security industry for over 25 years. He holds a first-class honours degree in education as well as a Masters in Education, Training and Development, from Bradford University. His Master’s thesis explored the real training needs of door staff in modern-day Ireland.
His instructional training DVD “Stop it on the Door” is used to train door security personnel not alone in Ireland but in America, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, as well as other countries in Europe.
In 2007, Mark left his position as Director of Training and Development for an international security provider and established ICSE. Under his stewardship, ICSE has become the largest provider of security and security-related training to the private security industry in Ireland.
Mark regularly provides expert witness testimony in High Court cases involving incidents in the nighttime economy on behalf of nightclubs, pubs, and their security operatives. Mark also sits on the Private Security Authority (PSA) Licensing & Training Committee Advisory Group.
The purpose of the consultative group is to consider future training requirements for the door and static security guarding sectors of the private security industry in Ireland. An avid outdoor enthusiast he has scaled several of the world’s highest peaks including Gran Paradiso (Italy), Mount Blanc (France), Elbrus (Russia), Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) and Aconcagua (Argentina).
TONY O’BRIEN
PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
Tony O’Brien has worked and trained extensively in the conflict management, safety and security fields over the past 17 years. He has worked across all sectors of the security industry from customer service based roles right through to medium and high risk environments in retail and nightclub security. Tony developed an excellent reputation as an operative at an early age in the industry and moved into management and training roles in 2006.
Working in these areas at both an operational and management level Tony developed systems and procedures to enhance the safety of employees and customers in a range of businesses. He implemented staff training programmes which were proven to be safe and effective and delivered hugely positive results in terms of reduction in staff incidents and complaints and an increase in staff morale, confidence and company business results.
Based on these results Tony began designing and developing conflict management and safety programmes for ICSE which have been delivered to a range of public and private sector clients across Ireland.
Tony’s professional qualifications include certifications in the delivery of Conflict Management and Physical Intervention from City and Guilds, MAYBO and The Crisis Prevention Institute. Tony also holds recognised professional qualifications in Managing Safety and Risk assessment from IOSH (Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) and CIEH Level 3 Safety Management Certificate and a Certificate in Criminal Psychology. In addition to these Tony has trained extensively around Europe in other high risk areas such as Aviation Safety & Security and Tactical Firearms. He holds a level 7 Diploma in Training and Education and is currently completing a level 8 Degree in Business Management.
Outside of his professional qualifications Tony has a diverse 28 year background in Martial Arts and Self Defence. His martial arts experience has taken him all over the world where he has had the opportunity to train and teach personal safety to a huge range of students from police officers, prison service and military personnel to children and students with learning difficulties and physical disabilities.
TONY MCCANN
EAST COAST HEAD OF CENTRE
Tony is the east-coast head of centre at ICSE. He has extensive experience in the security industry, having worked in it for over 20 years. During that time he has worked as a uniformed and plain-clothes store detective and as a doorman for over 12 years. He has worked in a supervisory role with some of the country’s best-known security companies and has led teams in all sectors, including event, retail and door security.
In the event sector, Tony has led staff at major events and venues such as Electric Picnic, Slane, Oxegen and Croke Park. He has also worked at a high level in hotel security, where he worked on a contract basis for top Irish hotels, including Jurys and Marriot Hotel groups.
Using this experience, Tony established his own security company and for several years provided security staff for many of the biggest concerts and sporting events in Ireland. Tony’s company also provided security for some of the country’s top receivers, and he worked on many high-profile and sensitive cases when the economy declined. Tony is a certified security trainer and holds awards from Maybo for training in Conflict Management and Disengagement, and Assault Avoidance.
Tony is currently entering his fourth and final year of a bachelor’s degree in Education and Training at NUI Galway. He hopes to continue his studies with a master’s in Education and Training.
PAUL GREALISH
WEST COAST TUTOR
Paul is one of the most respected and valued security operatives working in the west of Ireland today. Since beginning work in the security industry in the mid-1990s, he has gained extensive experience in the door, event, retail and static security sectors.
Paul is a widely known and respected door supervisor, with close to 20 years’ experience in front-line door security for pubs and clubs throughout the country. He has managed security teams at high-profile corporate and cultural events and at some of Ireland’s premier entertainment venues and events, including Oxegen, Slane, Marley Park, The O2 and Galway Races. Paul has also organised stadium security operations for clients from the League of Ireland, the English Premier League and the FAI. In the retail sector, his experience includes 6 years on the security team in one of Ireland’s biggest shopping centres as well as time with several multinational retailers.
Paul has a diverse background in martial arts and combat systems. He is a 1st dan black belt in tae-kwon-do, and is an international-level drug-free powerlifter. He has completed training in Tactical Firearms and CQB Tactics, Air Crew Security, Passenger Profiling, Hijack Management, Conflict Management, and Security Supervisory Management, and he holds a certificate in Terrorism and Counterterrorism Theory and Practice from Leiden University.
Paul has also undertaken the “safeTALK” and “ASSIST” training programmes on suicide awareness and prevention. Having attained his Train the Trainer qualification in 2006, he has been involved in security training, developing a reputation as a highly respected and experienced trainer. Paul delivers a diverse range of security training, including security guarding, door supervisor procedures, conflict management and personal safety across a range of sectors.
MICHAEL HOPKINS
WEST COAST TUTOR
With 4 years’ operational military experience and over 15 years working in the private security industry, Michael brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to each training session.
During his career, Mike has worked on many nightclub and pub doors.
He has headed security teams in theatres, providing front-of-stage and backstage security for acts like Bryan Adams, Snow Patrol, Paolo Nutini, Sinéad O’Connor, and many more, before moving on to work as a regional security manager for one of the most respected security companies in the west of Ireland.
Mike currently specialises in retail security and for the last 7 years has worked as an assistant security manager for one of the country’s largest retailers.
In 2016 he received a level 7 diploma in Training and Education from NUI Galway.
Mike has been delivering security training in Door Security Procedures and Guarding Skills for more than 2 years.
COLM MCGINLEY
ASSOCIATE TUTOR SOUTH COAST
Colm McGinley is a retired Senior Defence Forces Officer (Lieutenant Commander Naval Service). He has wide experience of human resource management and training at an operational and administrative level.
During his Defence Forces career, Colm served at every rank level from Able Seaman to Petty Officer and as a Junior and Senior Officer. In addition to his wide naval experience, he also served with other elements of the Defence Forces on missions in Lebanon and Chad as well as tasking in the Balkans.
Colm holds a higher diploma in Coaching and Coaching Psychology from UCC and a higher diploma in Business in Human Resource Management from the National College of Ireland. Colm also completed a QQI level 6 Train the Trainer Certificate (with Distinction) from the Open College.
Colm is an External Examiner for the level 7 B.A. in Leadership Management and Naval Studies awarded by the National Maritime College.
As a specialist in critical incident response management, Colm oversees the delivery of this and other specialist training provisions for ICSE. He also delivers our QQI level 4 security training programs in the west and southwest regions.
TONY O’BRIEN
PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
Tony O’Brien has worked and trained extensively in the conflict management, safety and security fields over the past 17 years. He has worked across all sectors of the security industry from customer service based roles right through to medium and high risk environments in retail and nightclub security. Tony developed an excellent reputation as an operative at an early age in the industry and moved into management and training roles in 2006.
Working in these areas at both an operational and management level Tony developed systems and procedures to enhance the safety of employees and customers in a range of businesses. He implemented staff training programmes which were proven to be safe and effective and delivered hugely positive results in terms of reduction in staff incidents and complaints and an increase in staff morale, confidence and company business results.
Based on these results Tony began designing and developing conflict management and safety programmes for ICSE which have been delivered to a range of public and private sector clients across Ireland.
Tony’s professional qualifications include certifications in the delivery of Conflict Management and Physical Intervention from City and Guilds, MAYBO and The Crisis Prevention Institute. Tony also holds recognised professional qualifications in Managing Safety and Risk assessment from IOSH (Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) and CIEH Level 3 Safety Management Certificate and a Certificate in Criminal Psychology. In addition to these Tony has trained extensively around Europe in other high risk areas such as Aviation Safety & Security and Tactical Firearms. He holds a level 7 Diploma in Training and Education and is currently completing a level 8 Degree in Business Management.
Outside of his professional qualifications Tony has a diverse 28 year background in Martial Arts and Self Defence. His martial arts experience has taken him all over the world where he has had the opportunity to train and teach personal safety to a huge range of students from police officers, prison service and military personnel to children and students with learning difficulties and physical disabilities.
TONY MCCANN
EAST COAST HEAD OF CENTRE
Tony is the east-coast head of centre at ICSE. He has extensive experience in the security industry, having worked in it for over 20 years. During that time he has worked as a uniformed and plain-clothes store detective and as a doorman for over 12 years. He has worked in a supervisory role with some of the country’s best-known security companies and has led teams in all sectors, including event, retail and door security.
In the event sector, Tony has led staff at major events and venues such as Electric Picnic, Slane, Oxegen and Croke Park. He has also worked at a high level in hotel security, where he worked on a contract basis for top Irish hotels, including Jurys and Marriot Hotel groups.
Using this experience, Tony established his own security company and for several years provided security staff for many of the biggest concerts and sporting events in Ireland. Tony’s company also provided security for some of the country’s top receivers, and he worked on many high-profile and sensitive cases when the economy declined. Tony is a certified security trainer and holds awards from Maybo for training in Conflict Management and Disengagement, and Assault Avoidance.
Tony is currently entering his fourth and final year of a bachelor’s degree in Education and Training at NUI Galway. He hopes to continue his studies with a master’s in Education and Training.
PAUL GREALISH
WEST COAST TUTOR
Paul is one of the most respected and valued security operatives working in the west of Ireland today. Since beginning work in the security industry in the mid-1990s, he has gained extensive experience in the door, event, retail and static security sectors.
Paul is a widely known and respected door supervisor, with close to 20 years’ experience in front-line door security for pubs and clubs throughout the country. He has managed security teams at high-profile corporate and cultural events and at some of Ireland’s premier entertainment venues and events, including Oxegen, Slane, Marley Park, The O2 and Galway Races. Paul has also organised stadium security operations for clients from the League of Ireland, the English Premier League and the FAI. In the retail sector, his experience includes 6 years on the security team in one of Ireland’s biggest shopping centres as well as time with several multinational retailers.
Paul has a diverse background in martial arts and combat systems. He is a 1st dan black belt in tae-kwon-do, and is an international-level drug-free powerlifter. He has completed training in Tactical Firearms and CQB Tactics, Air Crew Security, Passenger Profiling, Hijack Management, Conflict Management, and Security Supervisory Management, and he holds a certificate in Terrorism and Counterterrorism Theory and Practice from Leiden University.
Paul has also undertaken the “safeTALK” and “ASSIST” training programmes on suicide awareness and prevention. Having attained his Train the Trainer qualification in 2006, he has been involved in security training, developing a reputation as a highly respected and experienced trainer. Paul delivers a diverse range of security training, including security guarding, door supervisor procedures, conflict management and personal safety across a range of sectors.
MICHAEL HOPKINS
WEST COAST TUTOR
With 4 years’ operational military experience and over 15 years working in the private security industry, Michael brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to each training session.
During his career, Mike has worked on many nightclub and pub doors.
He has headed security teams in theatres, providing front-of-stage and backstage security for acts like Bryan Adams, Snow Patrol, Paolo Nutini, Sinéad O’Connor, and many more, before moving on to work as a regional security manager for one of the most respected security companies in the west of Ireland.
Mike currently specialises in retail security and for the last 7 years has worked as an assistant security manager for one of the country’s largest retailers.
In 2016 he received a level 7 diploma in Training and Education from NUI Galway.
Mike has been delivering security training in Door Security Procedures and Guarding Skills for more than 2 years.
COLM MCGINLEY
ASSOCIATE TUTOR SOUTH COAST
Colm McGinley is a retired Senior Defence Forces Officer (Lieutenant Commander Naval Service). He has wide experience of human resource management and training at an operational and administrative level.
During his Defence Forces career, Colm served at every rank level from Able Seaman to Petty Officer and as a Junior and Senior Officer. In addition to his wide naval experience, he also served with other elements of the Defence Forces on missions in Lebanon and Chad as well as tasking in the Balkans.
Colm holds a higher diploma in Coaching and Coaching Psychology from UCC and a higher diploma in Business in Human Resource Management from the National College of Ireland. Colm also completed a QQI level 6 Train the Trainer Certificate (with Distinction) from the Open College.
Colm is an External Examiner for the level 7 B.A. in Leadership Management and Naval Studies awarded by the National Maritime College.
As a specialist in critical incident response management, Colm oversees the delivery of this and other specialist training provisions for ICSE. He also delivers our QQI level 4 security training programs in the west and southwest regions.
