Cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan blasts State over gran’s court delay

Tribute: Retired nurse Joan Lucey who died days before the HSE was due to begin mediation on her CervicalCheck related lawsuit

Robin Schiller

February 22 2021 02:30 AM

Cervical cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan has paid tribute to a retired nurse who died days before the HSE was due to begin mediation on her CervicalCheck related lawsuit.

Grandmother Joan Lucey (73) passed away at her home in Dingle, Co Kerry, on Friday after battling terminal cancer.

She was suing the HSE and two laboratories for the alleged misreading or misinterpretation or misreporting of her cervical smears taken between February and August 2011.

Her funeral will take place in Dingle this afternoon.

In a video message Ms Phelan sent her condolences to Ms Lucey’s family while saying her case was a “terrible indictment” of the State and that an offer by the HSE to begin mediation on Tuesday (tomorrow) was “too late”.

Ms Phelan, who is receiving experimental treatment for her cancer in the US, said the Government needs to “put their hands up” and “take full responsibility” for not doing enough for Ms Lucey.

“I was very upset and angry actually to wake up this morning to find out that Joan Lucey, another cervical cancer patient, who had been taking a case to the High Court died before her case was heard.

“Joan’s family had actually been in touch with me to see if there was anything I could do or if I had any advice for them to try and get the case to mediation.

“Our State has to accept a huge amount of responsibility in this, they are responsible for this woman not having her case heard and settling, and for her to be able to die in peace knowing that her family are provided for and that she got her day in court.

“She didn’t even get an apology or any admission of liability, so she died before any of that could happen,” she said.

“Our State systems like the State Claims Agency who are constantly telling us that they are always mediating and trying to mediate in the cases of women affected by CervicalCheck – that’s bulls**t, because look what’s just happened.”

Ms Phelan also said the “protection of the State at all costs” needs to be called out, saying it was “very disheartening and very upsetting” that women affected by the CervicalCheck scandal were still being dragged through the courts” .

Cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan blasts State over gran’s court delay

Daily Digest Newsletter

Most Watched

‘American’ voice actor confuses internet by highlighting diversity of Irish accents

Wexford farmer attempts to stop spread of a wheatfield fire

Moment bus rolls back on busy street after driver on toilet break forgets to leave handbrake on

Coast guards condemn Jet ski drivers' 'unacceptable behaviour' in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin

The Burning Question - Which classic ice-cream lasts longest in a heatwave?

Latest Irish News

Most Read

Latest