Clare County Council has opened a Book of Condolence in memory of Vicky Phelan.
It comes as tributes are continuing to be paid to the Limerick-based mother of two, who exposed the Cervical Check scandal after her own smear test in 2011 wasn’t read accurately.
Tributes have been pouring in for cervical cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan, who passed away yesterday at the age of 48.
The mother of two raised awareness of the Cervical Check scandal in 2018, when she refused to sign a confidentiality agreement in a court settlement against an American test lab.
Originally from Kilkenny, she made Limerick her home, but spent a lot of time at her holiday home in Doonbeg in West Clare.
Her close friend John Wall, who himself is living with Stage IV cancer, says she held the whole system accountable in terms of how it deals with the public and inspired and empowered patients to speak up.
The Quin man has told Clare FM’s Morning Focus that Vicky was an extraordinary person, who never stopped helping others throughout the most difficult of times.
This, he says, will be her legacy.
Listen back to the full interview here:
Clare County Council has this afternoon opened a Book of Condolence in memory of Vicky Phelan.
Cathaoirleach, Councillor Tony O’Brien has invited people from all over Ireland and beyond to honour Vicky’s legacy as “a remarkable person and a courageous and inspiring advocate for women’s health”.
He says “Vicky’s campaigning to expose the controversy around the national screening programme CervicalCheck gave voice to many women and reflected her immense courage, determination and dignity while facing her own illness”
Ennis Fine Gael Councillor Mary Howard says our world has lost someone very special.
Members of the public can pay tribute to Vicky Phelan by signing the book in the foyer of Áras Contae an Chláir in Ennis, or online on the council website here.
