Brave Vicky fighting for new cause

CERVICALCHECK campaigner Vicky Phelan is unquestionably one of the bravest women in Irish public life.

Despite her own legal battle with the State over the cervical screening scandal, she found time to fight for the hundreds of other victims around the country.

And during months of ongoing and gruelling treatment she made herself a voice for those who could not speak up.

She still made herself available as one of the most common sense contributors on a range of health issues.

And now even as she rages herself against the dying of the light, she is back on the plinth of Leinster House fighting for herself and others who would like the right to choose when and how they will die.

It is hard to ignore her heartfelt words when she pleads: “I would ask all 160 TDS in the Dail to put themselves in my shoes, a woman with young children who is going to die.

“I don’t want my children to see me like that [in pain, close to death].

“Allow me to die with dignity for my sake and my young children’s.”

The Dying With Dignity Bill she is backing to allow assisted dying in Ireland will certainly divide opinion between people across the country.

But there can be no doubting Vicky’s sincerity and bravery in championing it.