Limerick school to name facility in memory of late Vicky Phelan
A LIMERICK school will be honouring the late Vicky Phelan by naming their new astroturf pitch after the late Cervical Check campaigner.
Gaelscoil Chaladh an Treoigh in Castletroy plan to honour Vicky during the opening ceremony of the astroturf pitch.
The astroturf pitch is set to be called Páirc Astro Uí Fhaoláin after the late Cervical Check campaigner.
Ms Phelan’s son who is in sixth class at the primary school will be cutting the ribbon to the new pitch on the day of the ceremony.
The opening ceremony for the astroturf pitch will be held on Friday, February 24 at the school.
A spokesperson for the school says they hope to have politicians and some county GAA players in attendance at the ceremony.
Vicky passed away at Milford Hospice Care Centre on November 14, 2022, following a lengthy battle with cervical cancer.
Originally, from County Kilkenny, the mother of two was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2014 and made national headlines in 2018 when she settled a High Court action against a US-based lab.
Vicky's subsequent campaigning on women's health issues led to the establishment of the Scally investigation in Cervical Check. It also led to the establishment of the 221+ support group and a state apology.
At the time of her death the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins paid tribute to Vicky.
"All of us who had the privilege of meeting Vicky will have been struck by the powerful inner strength and dignity with which she not only faced her own illness, but with the sense of commitment to the public good and the rights of others with which she campaigned," he said.
Tributes to Vicky were also paid by Taoiseach at the time Micheál Martin, Mayor of Limerick City and County Cllr Francis Foley among many others.