Gardai have put in place a traffic management plan ahead of a memorial service for the late cervical cancer awareness campaigner Vicky Phelan who died almost two weeks ago as hundreds are expected to descend on the Co Kilkenny village where she grew-up.
The mother-of-two originally from Mooncoin, Co Kilkenny but who lived in Annacotty, Co Limerick, who died on November 14, lifted the lid in 2018 with a High Court case in 2018 over how her cervical smear tests were handled after the HSE outsourced them to a US firm.
The 48-year-old was awarded €2.5m in damages but without admission of liability by the HSE and she refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement prior to the settlement which was settled on the steps of the High Court just prior to the case being heard.
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Ms Phelan was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2014, three years after a smear test she had was wrongly reported as clear.
Her case prompted more than 220 other women to come forward over misreported smear test results and led to several reviews of the State’s cervical cancer screening programme, CervicalCheck and a damning report by Dr Gabriel Scally who said it was “doomed to fail”.
A private funeral was held for Ms Phelan three days after her death as per her wishes. The Phelan and Kelly last week announced that they have scheduled an opportunity for the public to say their goodbyes and celebrate her life in Mooncoin tomorrow (Sunday) at 1pm at the Church of the Assumption.
However, gardai are expecting large crowds to attend the memorial service and have put a traffic plan in place.
In a statement issued by the Waterford/Kilkenny/Carlow Garda division explained that the Church where the memorial is being held is located on the N24 at the Carrick-on-Suir side of Mooncoin village and can be easily accessed by foot or road.
Gardai explained: “The Church itself has a capacity of 300 (maximum). Thereafter, attending patrons will be diverted to the nearby GAA complex where big screens will be live screening the event. Park and ride will also be encouraged.
“There will be no restrictions to traffic travelling through the village, albeit there will be a strict no parking policy on the Main Road and throughout the village itself. Cars parked illegally will be towed away.”
Gardai have set-out access to the event and are advising that traffic approaching from the Dublin/Waterford direction will be diverted at Dawn Meats Grannagh toward parking areas within the factory grounds. A park and ride facility will be provided at this location.
Traffic arriving from the Limerick/Clonmel direction will be diverted at the Tower Road junction from the Piltown Bypass towards a parking area at Piltown GAA Grounds. A park and ride facility will be provided at this location.
Patrons who chose to park in Mooncoin Village will be directed towards available parking in Martin Hawley’s Field on Main Street, Mooncoin GAA Complex and Mooncoin Celtic Club Grounds at Suir Crescent.
The garda statement continues: “A park-and-ride facility will be in place from 11am to bring patrons from locations at Dawn Meats and Piltown GAA grounds to the Church of the Assumption and Mooncoin GAA complex.
“Buses will drop patrons at bus stops located at the front of the Church on the main road. Patrons will be directed to their destination on arrival.
Buses will be on a circular route and collecting passengers every 10 minutes
“Disabled parking is available at the Graveyard, Polerone Rd, which is adjacent to the church. Patrons are asked to cooperate with Gardaí/ Stewards, drive safely and exercise patience. Carpooling (is being advised) where possible.
A live stream will be available here for those who cannot attend the memorial.
The Kelly and Phelan families added in their announcement of the memorial celebration of Vicky’s life added: “At this point it's fair to say that music will feature prominently, with some of her favourite musicians playing a few of her favourite tunes on the day,” the families concluded, honouring Vicky’s deep love of music.
Her family added in a message on the Vicky Tribe Facebook page: “Vicky connected with so many people, on so many different levels & when she asked us to host a gathering in Mooncoin after her passing, we could honestly think of nothing more appropriate.
“We hope that Sunday's gathering will be all that Vicky hoped it would be, an opportunity for family, friends & the wider public to join with us in this celebration of her life.”
The Phelan and Kelly families added: “Music will feature prominently during the ceremony, along with a few words from family & friends. Vicky requested that this be an upbeat occasion, with some of her favourite musicians playing several tunes throughout.
“The much loved triptych portrait of Vicky will also be on display in Mooncoin Community Centre, where family members will also gather afterwards. Arrangements will be in place to facilitate the anticipated numbers, with an extensive traffic management plan in place.
"If going to Mooncoin, travel safely and hopefully our paths will cross at some stage during the afternoon. Donations in lieu if desired to Milford Hospice in Limerick who provided such wonderful care to Vicky over the last several weeks and beyond. Phelan & Kelly Families.”
Vicky is survived by her husband Jim, her children Amelia and Daragh, her parents and four siblings.
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