Jon Kearney
Technical Director of Energy and Planning
Jon Kearney is Technical Director and Lead Ecologist in the Energy and Planning team. He has 20 years’ experience in environmental consultancy, research and project management. Jon has managed the successful delivery of AAs, Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA), ecological surveys and reporting for a wide range of projects including renewable energy projects, road schemes, greenways and commercial developments, as well as several plans and guidance documents at national, county and local levels.
Full Bio
Jon has a BSc in Applied Ecology and a MSc in Ecological Management and Biological Conservation. He has extensive knowledge of field survey techniques and methodology, ornithological surveys, mitigation design, water quality assessment, Appropriate Assessment and Ecological Impact Assessment.
Jon has worked as an ecological consultant in the UK and Ireland, on a broad diversity of projects including EIARs/AA for over 75 wind farm sites in Ireland, solar farms, pipelines, road schemes, greenways and commercial developments. His considerable experience of AA and Ecological Impact Assessment, often includes extensive reference to, and interpretation of, Article 6 of ‘The Habitats Directive’, and to other EU, UK and Irish conservation legislation.
Jon also has extensive experience of ornithological, reptile, mammal, bat, amphibian surveying, habitat surveying, botanical surveying as well as invertebrate sampling techniques and identification. Jon has provided expert witness testimony, as the technical lead at several An Bord Pleanála Oral Hearings including Páirc Uí Chaoimh (County Cork) and Doolin Pier (County Clare).
Jon’s experience includes:
- Lead Ecologist – Dunkettle Interchange Upgrade Scheme, County Cork
- Environmental Manager, South Kerry Greenway, County Kerry
- Project Manager and lead author – Updated Guidance for Public Authorities on the Provision of Article 6(3) and Article 6 (4) of the Habitats Directive
- Screening for AA for the National Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines
- DECC Guidance document – Provision of a detailed scientific assessment of peatland landslide – Ecological assessment
- Expert review of EcIAs for numerous housing development applications for Dùn Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Fingal County Council
- Ecological review of Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment documents for the national Catchment Flood Risk Assessment & 36 Management Plans
- AA Reviews for Local Area Plans including Kiltiernan-Glenamuck Local Area Plan 2025 and Old Connaught Local Area Plan 2025.
- AA Screenings County Biodiversity Action Plans (Westmeath, Kilkenny, Offaly, Limerick, Clare)
Jon’s renewable energy experience includes most recently as Lead Ecologist:
- Dernacart Wind Farm, County Laois
- Bilboa Wind Farm, County Carlow
- Moanvane Wind Farm, County Offaly
- Rospile Solar Farm, County Wexford
Sectors: Ecology, Energy, Planning, Sustainable Infrastructure