Courage of Aids victims helped turn back the early tide of ignorance and intolerance

The last of the RTÉ 1 series of programmes on the prejudices faced by people with HIV/Aids in the 1990s (July 7) must have brought back sad memories for many people who at that time suffered in silence.

I was actively involved then in the Fight Against Aids campaign in Ireland. I am pleased, despite the strong opposition to the campaign, with the progress made to date.

In the 1990s, I was honoured with the task of launching, in Cork, Stories from Silence, a documentary on Aids by the Irish Planning Association and Aids Action Alliance, later shown on RTÉ 1.