RTE’s Miriam O’Callaghan said she has found it 'difficult to accept’ Vicky Phelan death whilst Ryan Tubridy said he was ‘at a loss for words’ as they paid emotional tributes to the Cervical Check campaigner.
Tributes have been flooding in for the mum-of-two since news broke on that she died on Monday at Milford Hospice in Limerick aged 48, after a long battle with cancer.
In a touching post, where she posted images of her and Vicky together over the past few years, Prime Time host Miriam said she struggled to find words to express her sadness over the loss of to the late Cervical Check campaigner until late last night.
Read more: Tears for hero Vicky Phelan whose courage changed Ireland
The presenter, 62, who has interviewed Vicky throughout her battle for justice, said: “I have found it very very difficult today to accept Vicky is gone. I have also found it v difficult to know what to say. Words seem inadequate right now.
“Sometimes in life, we are truly privileged to meet an extraordinary stand out person. That was Vicky.
“I was privileged to meet and interview Vicky the week she rocked our world in Ireland, when she won her landmark court case back in April 2018, when we all got to know her publicly for the first time.
“What a service Vicky has done for us all, women and men, what a legacy she has left forever.
“Thinking especially tonight of Jim, Amelia, Darragh, Gaby, John and all her siblings and close friends.
She concluded: “Thank you Vicky, for everything, and for being the most beautiful, joyous, funny, mischievous, kind and loyal friend . Codladh sámh.”
RTE Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy echoed her sentiments, saying: “I’m at a loss for words today.
“Our friend, Vicky Phelan has died. She fought and she fought like few others.
“Strength, bravery, humour, kindness, generosity, intellect and love…Some of the words helping me describe this extraordinary, iconic woman.”
Sharing a playful image of himself and Vicky backstage at the Late Late Show in recent times, he went on: “I’m posting a lighthearted photo as Vicky had a wonderful sense of divilment.
“My thoughts are with her family today. May Vicky rest in the peace she deserves.”
Vicky Phelan was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2014, three years after she had been misdiagnosed in a smear test in 2011 which showed no abnormalities.
She went on to expose the CervicalCheck screening scandal in Ireland after discovering she was not told she had been given incorrect smear test results.
In April 2018, she settled a High Court action for €2.5m with Clinical Pathology Labs US, without admission of liability.
In the wake of her death, the mum-of-two from Co. Limerick was hailed for her heroism as the nation thanked her for fighting for the women of Ireland and beyond.
Husband Jim and her kids Amelia and Darragh said: “She has inspired not only ourselves but an entire nation.”
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