She was my wife and soul mate: husband

EMMA Hannigan ‘bravely fought a battle against a foe with no mercy’, her heartbroken husband has said following the author’s death.

The 45-year-old mother-of-two died on Saturday after an 11-year battle with cancer.

In a Facebook tribute, her husband Cian said his wife had ‘found peace’. Describing her as ‘the epitome of strength, love and generosity’, he wrote: ‘She loved her family, loved her friends, and she left a trail of glitter and joy throughout her life.’

Mr McGrath spoke of the many roles the beloved author took on throughout her life: ‘She was my wife and soul mate, mother of my beautiful children, a friend to many and an inspiration to thousands, a loving daughter, devoted mother, bestselling author, fundraiser, public speaker, chef, and shopaholic.’

The heartbroken husband said he would need his wife’s talent with words to adequately express his grief. ‘She was my guiding star and my hug to say everything would be OK,’ he wrote. ‘But mostly she was just my Emma, and I would need her wonderful gift with words to tell you just how much I will miss her.

Thousands of fans responded to Cian’s moving words, expressing support to her widower and two children, son Sacha and daughter Kim. Breast Cancer Ireland, for which she was a tireless advocate, also paid tribute on Twitter.

In his glowing appraisal of the brave writer, President Michael D Higgins extending his deepest sympathies to her family and friends as he hailed her ‘a campaigner to the end’. ‘Emma Hannigan leaves a lasting legacy not only through her work as a much-appreciated author, but also through her exemplary courage in dealing with terminal illness,’ he said in a statement. ‘She will be remembered as a powerful advocate for Breast Cancer Ireland, a great cause worthy of all of our support.’

Author and Fair City star Claudia Carroll expressed her admiration for her friend, posting on Twitter: ‘Heartbroken to hear the sad news about our beautiful, brave Emma Hannigan. Tonight, there really is one more angel in heaven.’

Emma was diagnosed with cancer ten times after 2007. She revealed on February 16 that her breast cancer had become terminal. ‘All good things must come to an end,’ she wrote online. ‘The time that I knew was borrowed must be given back soon, so it seems. The conversation I never wanted to have has been said... To say that I am heartbroken doesn’t begin to cover it.’

A funeral service for Ms Hannigan will be held on Wednesday at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church in Foxrock, south Dublin, followed by burial in Shanganagh Cemetery, Shankill, south Dublin.

ONLY someone with a heart of stone could fail to be moved by the story recounted in today’s Irish Daily Mail by Miriam Murray. Thieves who broke into a special needs school in Co. Meath stole a tablet computer used by her son Ethan.

The ten-year-old, who suffers from autism and severe epilepsy, is unable to write and relies on the device.

By any reckoning, this was a particularly sickening crime that targeted children with learning difficulties. Four other tablets, two laptops and a high-spec camera were also taken in the raid.

Given that the robbery was staged in a close-knit and relatively small community, it is highly likely that the culprits knew exactly what they were doing.

They were almost certainly aware that their foul deed would cause further suffering to youngsters who already have enough to deal with.

Nor should we overlook the cynical nature in which the crime was carried out. It was carried out in the early hours of Saturday morning when the school was vacant. Presumably even more important from the robbers’ perspective was the fact that local gardaí were working flat-out at the time to deal with the effects of Storm Emma.

It would be naive in the circumstances to expect the culprits to belatedly show some basic humanity and decency.

But in the unlikely event of any of those involved feeling the pangs of conscience, they should at least make sure that Ethan gets his tablet back.

There was plenty to be proud of regarding the manner in which the country responded to last week’s weather crisis.

It goes without saying that the emergency services did a magnificent job. But there was also much to admire about the huge community spirit that made its presence felt in recent days.

Even if there was any doubt, the past week has shown that there is much good about living in Ireland. We have seen how people look out for each other, as well as that basic human instinct to muck in together when the going gets tough.

Unfortunately, however, a tiny minority will always let us down.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that there has been an increase in shoplifting in the last few days. The individuals responsible, as well as those involved in other incidents of petty crime, do a great disservice to this country. Worse than that, they are also insulting every single law-abiding citizen.

But the biggest insult of all has been paid to a young boy in Meath left deprived of an essential tool to help him live a normal life.