Leading disability advocate Leigh Gath dies

Leigh Gath at home in Limerick in 2021. Picture: Brian Arthur

Prominent disability advocate Leigh Gath died unexpectedly at her home in Limerick over the weekend.

Born in Newry and educated in special schools in Belfast, Leigh Gath worked as disability campaigner for all of her adult life.

A thalidomide survivor, Ms Gath came to national prominence when she led a sleep-out outside the Department of the Taoiseach in September 2012 in protest against cuts to personal assistance and home help services.

Her autobiography, Don't Tell Me I Can't, was published that same year. In the book, she wrote of growing up during the Troubles, her escape from an abusive marriage, and her time living in the US.

In 2014, she became the first office holder of the position of confidential recipient for HSE-funded services in the wake of the Áras Attracta abuse scandal, a HSE residence for people with an intellectual disability in Swinford, Co Mayo.

In her eight years in the post, Ms Gath dealt with numerous allegations of abuse, negligence, mistreatment or poor care practices made by staff or service users.

In a statement on Monday morning, the HSE said Ms Gath had, over the course of many years, "campaigned for equality on many fronts, particularly for people living with disability".

"As a survivor of thalidomide, she went far beyond that condition to all aspects of inclusion, respect, and acceptance for people with disabilities."

In her work as confidential recipient, the HSE said Ms Gath "saw through many changes not only in building and adapting that role but also challenging the HSE to develop much more robust structures and processes for people who experience vulnerability in their lives".

HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster said Leigh Gath had "achieved many great things and always for the benefit of others".

"She gave a voice to many who otherwise were silent, and she challenged all professionals and organisations and Governments to think differently," he said.

Mr Gloster said Leigh Gath was never defined by her own disability, and he was "privileged" to have known her professionally and personally over several years.

"When the serious work was done for a day, she was always great fun to bump into and would lift the mood of those who encountered her."

Leigh Gath is survived by her husband Eugene, whom she met through the Irish thalidomide community, her son, Karl, and her daughter, Aisling.

A post by her family on RIP.ie said she would also be dearly missed by "nieces, nephews, relatives and a wide circle of friends from Newry, Limerick, Texas and all over Ireland and the world".