Emma Mhic Mhathúna sadly passed away over the weekend, with the news breaking on Sunday morning.
The 37-year old Kerry lady was one of the country's most prominent advocates for better cancer screening services after falling victim to the CervicalCheck controversy.
Emma received two incorrect smear test results in 2013 and was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2016.
221 women have been affected by the scandal, with 19 of those now dead.
Her family released this statement:
"We will miss Emma beyond words; her intellect, her love, her quick wit and infectious smile are irreplaceable to those closest to her in these difficult days. However, we take some comfort in the knowledge that Emma will be long remembered by the thousands of people who have been inspired by her fight for justice, transparency and improved services."
Speaking on Dermot and Dave, CEO of the Marie Keating Foundation Liz Yeates appraises the incredible legacy Emma has left behind.
Liz explained how Ms Mhic Mhathúna battled all the way to ensure her five children "got their address" but stated that "she should be there this morning, making their lunches, sending them to school".
There was also a ground-breaking announcement in the southern hemisphere today where "cervical cancer is going to be eliminated entirely in the next generation in Australia, solely as a result of the vaccination, which is now being made available for boys as well as girls as part of their school's immunisation programme and as a result of cervical screening".
This news will come as a great boost to Emma's work as she had also campaigned tirelessly to prove the vaccine was a fundamental catalyst in the fight against cancer.
Here she is on The Late Late Show in May of this year:
A mass will take place at Carraig Church in Ballydavid, west Kerry, at 11am tomorrow, followed by removal to St Mary's Pro Cathedral in Dublin in the afternoon.
Her funeral mass will take place at 12.45pm on Wednesday. Emma will be buried alongside her mother Annette at Laraghbryan Cemetery in Maynooth, Co Kildare.
May she rest in peace.
You can listen to the piece in full by pressing the play button in the image at the top of the page.
