'A woman of extraordinary courage': CervicalCheck campaigner Vicky Phelan dies  (2024)

The cervical cancer awareness advocate announced in October 2021 that she returned home to Ireland from the US after the treatment she received there no longer worked.

The medical team at Georgetown University Hospital in Maryland recommended that Ms Phelan return home to receive palliative chemotherapy.

Leading the tributes, 221+— the support group for the women affected by the CervicalCheck scandal that was co-founded by Ms Phelan — said: "Today we have lost our biggest big sister".

"We are shattered," the group said in a statement. "She told us this day would come but she fought so hard and so well that we couldn’t let ourselves think it would happen.

"Our hearts go out to Jim, Amelia and Darragh and to Vicky’s Mam and Dad, her sisters and brothers and her extended family. Our pain is suffocating just now but it is nothing compared to their loss.

"Vicky raised her voice in 2018 because she wanted those in power, those with responsibility to learn from their mistakes. In her own words, two years ago, she said:

"I don't want your apologies.
"I don't want your tributes.
"I don't want your aide de camp at my funeral.
"I don't want your accolades or your broken promises.
"I want action.
"I want change.
"I want accountability."

The statement added:

Let those words be her legacy. Cervical screening saves lives. It failed Vicky in life. In her memory those with responsibility must ensure that it never fails others.

Stephen Teap, whose wife died of cervical cancer, also paid tribute to his fellow CervicalCheck campaigner.

"Five years ago, she was told she only had a few months to live, she defied all the odds and through her strength and courage became a national treasure honouring us all with her wisdom, love and great sense of humour" Mr Teap said.

Mr Teap said Vicky Phelan had become a very good friend to he and his children and "a rock of support for us to lean on over the years."

"Another woman of Ireland taken from us too soon. We will miss you Vicky, thank you for just being you, rest in peace my good friend," he added.

President Michael D Higgins said Ms Phelan had made an enormous contribution to Irish society.

"All of us who had the privilege of meeting Vicky will have been struck by the powerful inner strength and dignity with which she not only faced her own illness, but with the sense of commitment to the public good and the rights of others with which she campaigned.

"Thanks to her tireless efforts, despite the terrible personal toll she herself had to carry, so many women’s lives have been protected, and will be protected in the future."

President Higgins said she would be deeply missed "by all of those who were in awe of her courage, her resilience, offered not only to women but to all of us in Ireland."

"She will of course be missed above all by those closest to her. May I express my deepest condolences to Vicky’s parents Gaby and John, her husband Jim, her children Amelia and Darragh, and to all of her family and friends.”

Solicitor Cian O’Carroll told RTÉ radio’s Today with Claire Byrnethat Vicky Phelan was a woman who refused to be silenced and that she would not be “hushed”. She fought for others to have access to the drugs that she had and for better care packages.

“She fought for all that while also fighting to extend her own life.” Truth and honesty were very important to her, he added.

Mr O’Carroll spoke of his first meeting with her, which ended with a hug. “That doesn’t normally happen.”

Ms Phelan had radiated warmth and humour, even when she was sick “she was still great craic”.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Ms Phelan, saying she was a woman of “extraordinary courage” who stood up for the women of Ireland.

Speaking on Monday morning, Mr Martin lauded Ms Phelan’s record of advocacy and paid tribute to her “traits of honesty, decency and acting in the public interest”.

"Vicky ensured the embedding of the principle of full public disclosure in the area of public health," the Taoiseach said.

"She was an outstanding advocate for women across this country, and across the globe."

The people of Ireland have a deep affection for Vicky and will always hold her contribution to public life in the highest regard.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said Vicky Phelan was "a shining example of the power of the human spirit."

"Her fight to uncover the truth and the courage with which she faced her illness made her an inspiration to us all," he said.

"We mourn her as a nation, as a society, and as individuals."

'When she spoke out on any issue, the nation listened'

Alan Kelly, former leader of the Labour Party, paid an emotional tribute to Ms Phelan saying she changed Ireland for the better through her courageous stance.

"The day I met Vicky, my life changed. There isn’t a person in Ireland who Vicky didn’t inspire in her tenacious fight for justice," he said.

"When she spoke out on any issue, the nation listened."

Mr Kelly said Vicky Phelan "courageously continued to fight for what was right for her and the women of Ireland right up until the very end."

"She empowered everyone in Ireland to think differently about their health, to ask questions and fight for the best treatments and health service that everyone deserves."

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly also paid tribute to Ms Phelan, and expressed his condolences to her family and friends.

“Vicky leaves a legacy of enormous and enduring impact which has touched the lives of many people, and in particular women and families affected by cervical cancer," he said.

“My thoughts are with Vicky’s family and many friends on this sad day.”

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald said: “Vicky was an inspiration to us all. The dignity with which she dealt with her illness, in a very public way, was formidable. Vicky should never have had to be a campaigner, but her advocacy on behalf of Irish women will never be forgotten," she said.

“I want to extend my condolences to her family and very wide circle of friends; particularly to her husband Jim and her children Amelia and Darragh. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis."

Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy described Ms Phelan, who appeared on the show on a number of occasions, as an iconic woman.

"Our friend, Vicky Phelan has died. She fought and she fought like few others. Strength, bravery, humour, kindness, generosity, intellect and love. Some of the words helping me describe this extraordinary, iconic woman," he said.

"May Vicky rest in the peace she deserves."

Ms Phelan's close friend, veteran broadcaster Charlie Bird said he was heartbroken to hear of her passing.

My heart is broken just hearing about the passing of Vicky Phelan .
Over the past year she gave me great support to keep fighting my terminal illness.
This whole country should be in mourning at the passing of this remarkable human being. My heart is broken. My hero is gone.

— Charlie Bird (@charliebird49) November 14, 2022

"Over the past year she gave me great support to keep fighting my terminal illness," Mr Bird said.

"This whole country should be in mourning at the passing of this remarkable human being. My heart is broken. My hero is gone."

A national campaigner

The Kilkenny native born on October 28, 1974, Vicky Phelan never set out to be a national campaigner.

Ms Phelan was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2014 three years after receiving an incorrect smear test result that failed to detect any abnormalities.

From there she underwent aggressive treatment - radiation, chemotherapy and brachytherapy - and was eventually given the all-clear.

In September 2017, during a routine checkup, her gynaecologist told her that an audit carried out by CervicalCheck found her 2011 smear test had been reported as a false negative.

Weeks later, a CT scan revealed her cancer had returned, and this time was delivered a terminal diagnosis.

Left alone with her patient file, she flipped it open and quickly realised something was wrong relating to her smear history and CervicalCheck and contacted a lawyer.

In April 2018, Ms Phelan was outside the Four Courts making an explosive statement to awaiting journalists. A political and medical crisis ensued.

The HSE confirmed that just over 206 women here went on to develop cervical cancer after receiving an incorrect smear test result from CervicalCheck.