'Courage, inspiration, defiance and resilience': Vicky Phelan awarded the Freedom of Limerick
Vicky Phelan has become the 72nd person to receive the Freedom of Limerick. Picture: Alan Place
"If we were to build a role model, it would be in the likeness of Vicky Phelan. It would be built, piece by piece, on the traits synonymous with Vicky Phelan – courage, honesty, decency, integrity, strength, selflessness."
Those were the words of Mayor of Limerick Daniel Butler as he granted the Freedom of Limerick to the CervicalCheck campaigner in a special ceremony.
Ms Phelan accepted the highest honour that can be bestowed upon an individual by Limerick City and County Council as her parents, husband Jim, son Darragh and brother Robbie watched on with pride.
She was “blown away” by the accolade but dedicated the honour to fellow CervicalCheck campaigner Ruth Morrissey.
Ms Morrissey, a proud Limerick woman, died at the age of 39 in 2020 following inaccurate readings of smear tests in 2009 and 2012.
Ms Phelan, who has terminal cancer, said it is “shocking” she has become just the fifth woman in history to be awarded the Freedom of Limerick, which is reserved for those who have made “exceptional or unique contributions to the common good”.
Previous recipients include President Michael D Higgins, UL Founding President Dr Ed Walsh, JP McManus, Paul O’Connell, Maud Gonne and Terry Wogan.
Mayor Butler acknowledged there have been “far too few female recipients”, adding: "But if there was ever a woman to put injustices right, it for sure is Vicky Phelan.”
The Mayor said he was “in awe” of the campaigner and that she stood on a pedestal for the people of Limerick.
“Few in Irish society today have shown the fortitude to get back up like Vicky Phelan. She’s refused to take ‘no’ for an answer and, as we’ve all witnessed with admiration, is a force to be reckoned with.
“People in high office who unwisely thought otherwise have learned that to their detriment.”
Concluding his remarks, the Mayor thanked Vicky for her “courage, inspiration, defiance, resilience and example”, adding that Limerick is with her on her journey, “every step of the way.”
Speaking to journalists before she accepted the honour, Vicky said the CervicalCheck Tribunal has been an “abject failure.”
The tribunal, which was set up as an alternative to the High Court for women to make claims, extended its closing date for the second time this week after just 11 women made a claim.
“We flagged at the time that this was going to happen," she said.
"There is no advantage to women and families applying to the tribunal over the High Court.”
The campaigner said there are still a lot of lessons that need to be learned from the CervicalCheck scandal and pointed to the recent failures of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service in Kerry.
Asked what she would like her to be, the activist said she hopes it will be others standing up for themselves.
“One person can make a difference.
"It’s hard to take on big monoliths like the HSE… no matter what they tell you, it’s still very adversarial... But I would hate for that to put people off.
“I am glad I did it. It opened the door for other people to get their cases heard and get justice and financial compensation for their families.”
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