Unicef reaches settlement with former executive director Verwoerd

Unicef Ireland has reached a settlement with Melanie Verwoerd, the organisation’s former executive director and the partner of the late Gerry Ryan.

Ms Verwoerd was fired by Unicef Ireland in Jul 2011, a move which sparked some to withdraw their support.

At the time, Ms Verwoerd said her employment was terminated by email because the board “felt that the media interest in my relationship with Gerry Ryan, who died on Apr 30, 2010, was damaging Unicef”.