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Tributes paid to 'fearless and brilliant campaigner' Donal Toolan

President Michael D Higgins said Toolan was “a deeply committed advocate for legislation on disability rights”.

File photo Donal Toolan, co-ordinator of the Forum of People with Disabilities and former member of the Council of State has died Donal Toolan RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

TRIBUTES HAVE BEEN pouring in following the death of leading disability rights activist and journalist Donal Toolan.

President Michael D Higgins said Toolan was “a deeply committed advocate for legislation on disability rights”.

“As a journalist, actor and campaigner he made a contribution to Irish public life that was of immense value. He will be missed in particular by all of us who had the privilege of knowing him.

“Sabina and I express our condolences to his family, colleagues and wide circle of friends.”

Toolan was the founder and coordinator of the Forum of People with Disabilities and former member of the Council of State.

‘An enormous loss’

He also previously served as a board member of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL).

Speaking today, ICCL Executive Director Liam Herrick said: “Donal made an enormous contribution to defining the rights of people with disabilities as a question of fundamental human rights.

He was a fearless and brilliant campaigner who believed passionately that people with disabilities must lead the fight for dignity and justice for all those affected by disability in all its forms. Donal also was committed to a broad human rights agenda and stood in solidarity with all those seeking justice in Irish society.

“Perhaps most significant, in terms of Donal’s contribution to human rights in Ireland, was his commitment to shining a light on the human rights of those who lived in ‘closed spaces’, including disabled children and adults.

“Through his activism, his journalism and his artistic expression, Donal helped change the landscape for disability rights in Ireland in a profound and lasting way. His death is an enormous loss to the world of arts and broadcasting, but especially to the human rights and disability rights community in Ireland.”

File photo Donal Toolan, co-ordinator of the Forum of People with Disabilities and former member of the Council of State has died Pictured with Taoiseach Enda Kenny outside Leinster House Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

Séamus Dooley, acting general secretary of the National Union of Journalists, also paid tribute to Toolan.

In 1993, Toolan was awarded National Broadcast Journalist of the Year and also received a Jacob’s award for his work on the documentary series In From the Margins.

“Donal was a passionate advocate for equality: fearless, wise and funny. He was a talented writer, actor and broadcaster. As presenter of the RTÉ Radio 1 programme Not So Different he championed the rights of people with disabilities. He did so with eloquence and courage.

“He was a true champion of inclusion with a stubborn commitment to human rights. Donal used all his talents – as an actor, a writer and social commentator, to champion his vision of equality not just in Ireland but internationally, through the UN Association of International Service and the European Anti-Poverty Network,” Dooley said.

Read: ‘It was scary last night. You could hear animals in the valley’: Gorse fire in Cork brought under control

Read: Paschal Donohoe: Eighth Amendment should be dealt with by current Oireachtas

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10 Comments
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    Mute Tom Fennelly
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    Feb 28th 2014, 9:47 PM

    That’s the 24th bomb that the Army have attended this year in 60 days.

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    Mute Gerry Duffy
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    Feb 28th 2014, 9:57 PM

    Absolute madness

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    Mute Robert Merrigan
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    Feb 28th 2014, 10:49 PM

    59days

    11
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    Mute AICS (Steve Tracey)
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    Feb 28th 2014, 9:43 PM

    Well done ATO total professionalism. Courageous guys and gals no matter which Army.

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    Mute Paul White
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    Mar 1st 2014, 11:45 AM

    Who is ATO?

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    Mute AICS (Steve Tracey)
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    Mar 1st 2014, 3:32 PM

    Paul
    ATO = Ammunition Technical Officer that’s the person who commands the team and actually approaches the device and declares the area safe.

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    Mute ash doyle
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    Feb 28th 2014, 9:42 PM

    South dublin?? Learn something new everyday… thought it was west… huh… good to know….

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    Mute Hugh Jarse
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    Feb 28th 2014, 10:22 PM

    Southwest to be precise.

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    Mute Eoin Mahon
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    Mar 1st 2014, 12:12 AM

    Muppet

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    Mute cutsie
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    Mar 1st 2014, 8:18 AM

    Bunch of sat navs on here this morning

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    Mute Gerry Duffy
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    Feb 28th 2014, 9:56 PM

    The reason for planting this bomb or IED is what exactly?

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    Mute Eugene Walsh
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    Feb 28th 2014, 10:26 PM

    They probably plant these devices themselves, keep em in A job.

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    Mute Brian Flynn
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    Feb 28th 2014, 10:38 PM

    @Eugene Walsh- Clown!!

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    Mute Raymond John
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    Mar 1st 2014, 4:16 AM

    APE!!

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    Mute Anton de Buitlear
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    Mar 1st 2014, 8:06 AM

    You just said what I know

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    Mute cutsie
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    Mar 1st 2014, 8:19 AM

    Wouldn’t be suprised

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    Mute Dexter Ferguson
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    Mar 1st 2014, 8:26 AM

    As long at this type of carry on is kept in areas like Tallaght then it’s not a problem.

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    Mute David Giles
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    Mar 1st 2014, 12:01 AM

    I wonder who is making all these bombs? Why have the Gardai not found out and arrested those responsible ?

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    Mute Jacob Thomas
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    Mar 1st 2014, 1:30 AM

    Very hard to pin something like this down. Manufacturing IED’s isn’t that hard, especially if you’ve got connections. Could be one person, could be multiple groups of people.

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    Mute Michael Evans
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    Mar 1st 2014, 8:18 AM

    That’s a question for the commissioner!!!

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    Mute hard yaka
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    Mar 1st 2014, 9:00 AM

    People from tallaght wont agree with you sure its s grand spot why wouldn’t you live there.

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    Mute SMcB
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    Mar 1st 2014, 9:55 AM

    Ah yeah, an area known for the odd shooting, a few murders, odd rape and odd few bombs here and there. Grand place it is……

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    Mute David Giles
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    Mar 1st 2014, 7:32 AM

    IED means Improvised Explosive Device equals something that can kill people. Very dangerous and it seems there are lots of them about.

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