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John McCarthy in 2010 eoinfleming via YouTube

Tributes paid after death of 'tireless' campaigner John McCarthy (Video)

McCarthy, 61, had continued to campaign for mental health awareness despite his diagnosis with motor neurone disease.

TRIBUTES HAVE BEEN paid to the charismatic mental health campaigner John McCarthy, who passed away yesterday.

McCarthy, 61, who founded the group Mad Pride Ireland to open up debate on mental health issues and pushed for the “normality of madness” to be accepted, had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease two years ago.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said McCarthy had “helped bring about a major change in how people view mental illness,” adding: “He handled his own diagnosis with motor neurone disease with dignity and bravery, and continued his work on behalf of those living with mental illness.”

Kathleen Lynch, Minister of State for health, said she had been looking forward to working with McCarthy after appointing him to a group implementing the National Disability Strategy.

“I regret that I will not now have that opportunity as people with the drive, determination and infectious enthusiasm that John had are exactly what is needed to bring about meaningful change,” she said. “Any time I met John, I always came away with a smile and a laugh.”

In one of his final columns for the Cork Independent, posted on December 29, McCarthy wrote: “My health, like the economy, is going to shite, but my spirit is growing.” He continued:

‘Mental illness’ is not about lack of resources, it is about an ethos based on the right to force a cure, on victims, who are patients. I will fight that abusive ethos as long as I have a breath in me.

Twitter has also been alive with tributes to McCarthy from TDs and others. Here are a selection:

Tributes to John McCarthy
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  • Tributes to John McCarthy

  • Tributes to John McCarthy

  • Tributes to John McCarthy

  • Tributes to John McCarthy

  • Tributes to John McCarthy

  • Tributes to John McCarthy

  • Tributes to John McCarthy

  • Tributes to John McCarthy

McCarthy’s funeral is to be a humanist service, and will be held tomorrow in Cork. In this 2010 video, he describes his personal manifesto:

(Video: eoinfleming on YouTube)

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12 Comments
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    Mute Jim Buckley Barrett
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    Mar 22nd 2019, 8:17 PM

    Cowards hiding behind fake names and their keyboard

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    Mute Andrew Nolan
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    Mar 22nd 2019, 8:21 PM

    @Jim Buckley Barrett: You just described most of the comments section.

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    Mute thesaltyurchin
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 10:37 AM

    @Jim Buckley Barrett: oh ye champions of bravery.

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    Mute Seriously stunned
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    Mar 22nd 2019, 8:48 PM

    Clowns with nothing better to do. Glory glory Munster.

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    Mute Jason McCutcheon
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    Mar 22nd 2019, 11:32 PM

    For Gods sake these players work hard to get into shape for the pitch at weekends. They give massive enjoyment to so many and this things happens! Some strange people out there!!

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    Mute John Carey
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    Mar 22nd 2019, 8:25 PM

    Anyone know the players involved ?

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    Mute Ted Logan
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    Mar 22nd 2019, 9:29 PM

    @John Carey: yes

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    Mute Terry Hobdell
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    Mar 22nd 2019, 9:33 PM

    @Conor Heneghan: you know this?

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    Mute Niallers
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 10:38 AM

    @John Carey: yes

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 1:11 PM

    @John Carey: by mentioning names all you do is help promote this nasty pieces of dog poo.

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    Mute Martin Quinn
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 11:12 PM

    @Chris Mc:

    Spot on Chris

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    Mute Trevor Beacom
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 1:11 AM

    And still it wouldnt make me buy the leader.

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    Mute James Reidy
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    Mar 22nd 2019, 9:33 PM

    Now some people will cop.on to what Tayla Harris AFL has gone through.☘

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    Mute De Zach Same
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    Mar 23rd 2019, 3:06 PM

    From what I gather there were fake player profiles created on social media and the content of their posts made for grim viewing. The conversations were of a sexist/misogynistic nature.
    Well at least I hope they were fake player profiles. They’d have to be complete morons after what happened up north a couple of years ago.

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