Zappone in counselling since her wife’s death

Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone has opened up about her grief since the death of her wife, Ann Louise Gilligan, last summer, saying she has sought “sanctuary” in counselling to cope with the trauma and encouraging others in mourning to take similar steps.

In her most public comments on the tragedy to date, Ms Zappone said while she and her partner of 36 years considered retiring before her death because “life is precious and we wanted more time together”, she now wants to continue in office to honour her late wife and as their future is “not in front of me anymore”.

In an at times emotional interview with the Irish Examiner on the passing of Ms Gilligan, who died in early June after a brain haemorrhage left her blind, Ms Zappone admitted while she “appears to be coping” this is only because “I have been supported in ways no one will ever see”.