Vicky Phelan Irish Cervical Cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan has been tapped to receive the Fitzgerald Bible Award for her role in the CervicalCheck scandal.
Ms Phelan settled a High Court action against a US lab after her cancer was missed in a smear test.
Chairman of the Fitzgerald Bible Bruff Award group Paul Dennehy said the award “represents the legacy of John F. Kennedy who inspired people to accept responsibility by taking political and social action”.
“He fought for equal rights and opportunities for everyone. I think it is very appropriate that this year the award is going to Vicky Phelan.”
The award was established in 2015 and promotes the link between Bruff and the Fitzgerald family bible. Former US President JFK’s family is originally from Bruff, in Limerick.
***
Famous ship disaster remembered
The victims of Ireland’s greatest maritime disaster were remembered during Mass on October 21 in the Pro Cathedral – the same place where, a century ago, Requiem Mass was offered for the 564 people who died in the sinking of the RMS Leinster.
The ship was struck by a German U-boat torpedo on its way from Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead on October 10, 1918, killing over two-thirds of its 771 passengers.
In his homily, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin described World War I as “a history of noble idealism but also a history of horrific barbarities”. He added that the day was an opportunity to commit to fostering peace for generations to come.