Taoiseach Micheál Martin, President Higgins lead tributes to Ruth Morrissey

Ruth Morrissey and her husband, Paul, pictured speaking to the media on leaving the Four Courts after a High Court judgement in July of last year. Photo: Collins Courts

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and President Michael D. Higgins were among those to pay tribute to Cervical Check campaigner Ruth Morrissey following her death today.

“I was deeply saddened to learn of Ruth Morrissey’s passing this afternoon," Mr Martin said. 

"Ruth was a brave, courageous woman who worked tirelessly for others and for future generations of women in this country.

“She was generous of spirit and had the interests of others at heart.

“I wish to extend my sympathies to her husband Paul, her daughter Libby, her family and friends.

“May she rest in peace.”

President Micheal D. Higgins too sent his condolences to Ruth Morrissey's friends and family:

"So many people across Ireland will have learned with great sadness of the passing of Ruth Morrissey.

"Ruth Morrissey’s tremendous courage in an arduous campaign for truth and justice leaves a legacy of courage for all Irish people, and for those campaigning for women’s right to healthcare in particular.

"Sabina and I send our sincere condolences to her husband Paul, their daughter, her family and friends, and to all those who have shared Mrs Morrissey’s journey."

Tributes to Ms Morrissey from the world of politics, health and activism have poured in this afternoon. 

Earlier, Labour leader Alan Kelly spoke of his sadness at learning of Ms Morrissey's passing.

Ruth Morrissey's fellow CervicalCheck campaigners Vicky Phelan, Stephen Teap and Lorraine Walsh also sought to honor her legacy today. 

In a tweet, Vicky Phelan wrote: “Ruth was one of the strongest women I know, and also one of the most positive.

"I never once saw her without a smile on her face and I saw her when she was very ill.”

Ruth was one of the strongest women I know, and also one of the most positive. I never once saw her without a smile on her face and I saw her when she was very ill.

My thoughts today are with Ruth's husband, Paul and their beautiful daughter, Libby who Ruth adored. #RIPRuth💔

— Vicky Phelan (@PhelanVicky) July 19, 2020

Strugglin to find the words to display my sadness at hearing this news this morning, #ruthmorrissey was a kind and gentle soul who I was honoured to know,always checking up on me and my boys even in the middle of her own battles,this world is at a loss without her,may she now RIP https://t.co/KjAmPxYN70

— 𝕊𝕥𝕖𝕡𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕋𝕖𝕒𝕡 (@Stephenteap) July 19, 2020

In a statement released earlier this afternoon, Paul Morrissey, Ruth Morrissey's husband, spoke lovingly of his wife, and of all she accomplished as part of her CervicalCheck campaign.

"Ruth’s life was a very happy one and none of the hardships of recent years robbed her of her good cheer and positive spirit. 

"She fought fiercely to stay alive for the family she adored. The example she set stands as an enduring inspiration of strength and determination that should help many others through difficult times in the future."