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LAST UPDATE | 9 Oct 2018
FRIENDS AND FAMILY of Emma Mhic Mhathuna gathered today in Co Kerry to bid farewell to the mother of five.
At a ceremony in Séipéal na Carraige, in the Baile na nGall Gaeltacht this morning, the local priest Eoghan Ó Cadhla described Emma as “a beautiful mother”, “a brave and courageous lady” and “a star that inspires us”.
She fell in love with west Kerry, it was very close to her heart… and we’re lucky that she chose to live with us.
The priest spoke of how Emma had achieved so much, had an “undefeatable spirit” and had “the spirit of the sea”.
“Life has been compared to a journey across the sea,” Ó Cadhla said, “and sometimes, a storm hits without warning.”
People were also asked to spare a thought for other families affected by an illness.
After the ceremony, John Moran, an uncle of Emma’s by marriage, thanked the public for the support they gave Emma since she went public with her case.
“Thanks to the people of Ireland, who’ve really taken Emma into their hearts. We loved her, we’ll miss her.”
He said that the reason they held the Mass in Kerry, is because “Emma wanted to do it this way”. He also added that today was a day for celebrating who Emma was, and to say goodbye to her, and to say thank you to her.
37-year-old Emma died on Sunday after a long battle with cancer. She was one of the 221 women affected by the CervicalCheck scandal, which saw patients receive incorrect information about their smear test results. 19 of the women have died.
Emma learned in April that her smear tests in 2013 and 2010 had been read incorrectly, and that her cancer had returned. However, by the time she was informed of her condition, her prognosis left her with a matter months to live.
At the funeral today, a number of items were presented at the Irish-language ceremony: a GAA Gaeltacht jersey, representing Emma’s love for the Irish language and the enjoyment she got from watching her sons play football; a fuschia plant, which the Irish translation is “Deora Dé” or the tears of God, and has red berries – referring to the red dress she wore on the steps of the High Court.
A bust of Emma was also offered, along with a photograph of her with her children, and a Bible and rosary beads. Emma had studied theology and Irish in Maynooth, and was a Eucharistic Minister at Séipéal na Carraige.
Her son Mario gave the second reading of the ceremony; classmates of her children sang hymns in the Mass, which was held in the 150-year-old church.
The mother of five came to national prominence as she fought to learn the truth about her own health and how the CervicalCheck crisis arose.
In July, Emma came to a settlement of €7.5 million after launching legal action against the HSE and Quest Diagnostics, the US-based company that analysed her smear test results.
After the settlement she stood on the steps of the High Court in a long red dress, which she later said her children had picked out for her:
It makes a big difference for all women because it’s a significant amount and it’s a kick in the profit of Quest, and they’re not going to like that, and it makes more sense to read the smear tests properly than to be shelling out a lot of money.
Tributes
Tributes have been paid to Emma for her courage in the face of her own death, with her friend Julie Malone describing her as a “lioness of a mother”.
Today’s was the first of two funeral masses for Emma. After today’s service, her body will be removed to St Mary’s Pro Cathedral, Dublin for funeral mass at 12.45pm tomorrow followed by burial at Laraghbryan Cemetery in Maynooth, Co Kildare.
Emma is survived by her five children, Natasha, Seamus, Mario, Oisin and Donnacha and her father Peter. Her mother Annette predeceased the 37-year-old.
A book of condolence has been opened by South Dublin County Council in Emma’s honour.
Emma’s family has asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Brother Kevin Crowley, of the Capuchin Day Centre, Bow Street, Dublin. The service provides meals for people in need.
Her family has asked that their home remain private, as they come to terms with Emma’s passing.
Additional reporting from Kerry: Gráinne Ní Aodha
But… But …. We’re attracting these companies because of our educated workforce and links to Europe right? Best small country to do business according to the dear leader… Surely he can’t have been wrong?
Ive been in many meetings where that sentence is the butt of a good few jokes.
This is down to American Tax law, so unless the cabinet are deciding American Tax Law then you’ve chewed too many of those pink tablets.
First of many deals to go I’m afraid.
Will facebook google and the like still be here in 10years?
IFSC will be the next ghost estate.
Cheerful.
You’re right. sad but true. Noonan should be making it easier for companies to dodge tax, not harder. It’s the only thing we have to offer. Our workforce is too expensive and the infrastructure is simply not on par, even with Poland.
Exactly. Who cares if we are offering them a way of paying less tax? It doesn’t matter if it boosts our economy at the expense of America’s. We are absolutely screwed if these companies pack up and leave due to decades of neglect towards indigenous businesses.
Obama the bollox
I thought the yanks just love the irish
no just the tax rates. and easily exploitable muppets in Government
Apparently only when we’re a tax haven.
what is it with the gimps who “run” this country , they always give away any “aces” they have up their sleeves for no payback. Its like they just want to be good poodles for their handlers in Europe
What has this to do with Ireland.
Some people really think that the world revolves around this place, that they are trying to shaft us or are laughing at us or we have it the worst in the world in this “kip”.
America is doing here what is in its own tax interest, they couldn’t give a fucj who is in charge here. That doesn’t come in to it.
What it does show is that focusing on Multi-nationals leaves the country very open to changes in American domestic policy.
Ordinary people were never going to benefit from this anyway
I work in the pharma industry here in Ireland and this takeover deal was (is?) huge. It is a great opportunity for Ireland – and UK based – Shire. The inevitable consequences of the negative publicity over the past year I’m afraid. Bad for business and bad for Ireland over the long term in my opinion.
Yea but no offense, the pharma industry has a lot to answer for in terms of ethics and general human health
It was bound to happen, given all the publicity. I’m confident our government will find some way around it, after all they’ve been codding us for years, Obama will be a doddle.
Very good, Martin! Let’s hope you’re right.
Keep big pharma away from this country, corrupted killers making money, should be buried in a desert somewhere.
shouldnt you be dancing at a crossroads somewhere?
With Comey maidens – or youths, whichever floats your boat?
The same desert you’ve your head buried in? Pharma and Med. Device companies are our biggest employers and account for over 50 billion in ex ports from this country. I bet you’d go to a faith healer if you got sick. Best of luck with that.
One thing about Pharma is the vast imports that it brings in as well, so the net benefit to the country is not as large as it looks when you say 50bn in exports.
Agriculture is surprisingly eaves the most in Ireland’s hands out of exports, money circulating in the economy than Pharma.
They are all just slices in a pie, mind you, but Pharma is in no way our largest sector employer. In all the companies and all the spin off jobs for there would still only be under 3% of the workforce.
Fools those who are negative & for giving in to the EU. US companies really only have a couple of choices uk, Israel or us. If the krauts spoke English they would go there. Posted on this before. Who gives a sh€t how much corporate tax they pay, it’s the PAYE, PRSI & USC take that makes the difference, by local employment. Shame on the government & naysayers for pushing reform. The right move was to cut it to 5% and stick two fingers to Brussels, what could they have done? Their broke, kick us out & watch everyone else jump with us. The tax on the fees alone on the merger alone would have been €50m – grow some balls Ireland. We’re paid up and EU is on the ropes
No more tax dodging and money laundering through Ireland for multinationals so.
One last point because the anti pharm guy’s wound me up. The U.S. Won’t change tax policy more than cosmetics. Who the hell do you think provides the $1bn it takes to get elected in the states? – Santa?
They just tryin drive a hard bizargain, know’m sayin?
For Christ sake it’s only 3-10% but the PAYE take is at least double of Ag, given the tax breaks. I’m a big fan of farming and the industry but the average Ag business doesn’t employ folks at the same rate after tax breaks. Cut corporate tax on strict employment requirements and the country will pick up. Even line factory guys pick up €20-30k+ per year all in. Farm folk just can’t pay that give the current prices. You think Iceland or Singapore would take this sh€t? We need to start looking after ourselves.
Uh oh
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