The Death of Ruth Morrissey

Aontú Leader & Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has extended his condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Ruth Morrissey, who died on Sunday morning, after heroically battling terminal cancer for as long as she could. She was accorded neither the apology she deserved nor the accountability she sought by the state to our eternal shame.

“Despite the former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar promising not to take women who were the victims in the Cervical check scandal to Court, Miss Morrissey was forced to endure a 36 day trial in the High Court over the state’s complete mishandling of her cervical smear tests. Despite her success in proving the wrongs committed against her by the State – neither the HSE nor State ever apologised to her before she departed this life. Despite every wrong committed against her by her government, Ruth Morrissey exhibited a strength, a courage, a heroism that this nation is poorer without.”

“The fact that the Taoiseach and Minister for Health who presided over this appalling saga in Irish history, escaped the scandal with no consequences, is particularly painful for many of the victims of the Cervical check scandal, and their loved ones. We mourn and pray for Ms Morrisey, but we must also hold those accountable in any meaningful way and ensure that this never happens again.”

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.