Statement by Senator Ivana Bacik on the death of Dr Ann Louise Gilligan

15 June 2017

Senator Ivana Bacik, leader of the Labour group in the Seanad, today offered her condolences and sympathies to Minister Katherine Zappone on the death of her wife Dr Ann Louise Gilligan.

Senator Bacik said:

"It was my privilege to have got to know Ann Louise many years ago when representing her and Katherine in their legal case seeking recognition of their marriage before the High Court.

"Ann Louise was a wonderful, kind and wise person, gentle and compassionate with a real strength of character. She and Katherine had made an enormous contribution to society in public service through their community work establishing An Cosan, even before Katherine entered the Seanad in 2011.

"Ann Louise was also a gifted educator, whose students at St. Pat’s Drumondra always spoke of her in glowing terms.

"Through taking their legal case and engaging in public advocacy around the right to marriage equality, she and Katherine truly made a significant contribution to social change in Ireland and were vindicated with the successful passage of the marriage equality referendum in 2015.

"It was an immense pleasure to have come to know Ann Louise, and my thoughts and sympathies are with Katherine at such a sad time."