Dublin South West TD, Seán Crowe, has extended his deepest sympathies and condolences to his constituency colleague, Minister Katherine Zappone, on the sudden loss of her wife, Dr. Ann Louise Gilligan. The Sinn Féin TD described Dr. Gilligan a warm, intelligent, caring and genuine person.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“I was shocked to hear on the radio this morning of the sudden passing of Dr. Louise Gilligan, the wife of my constituency colleague, Minister Katherine Zappone.

“Dr. Gilligan was a warm, intelligent, caring and genuine person.

“She cared deeply about people and that was evident even after talking to her for just a few short minutes.

“She always had a smile, time to talk, say hello and to encourage you in your work.

“Dr. Gilligan made an extraordinary contribution to Irish Society, as an activist, an educationalist, and in the area of Community Development.

“As a cofounder of An Cosán, the further education and community development centre in Jobstown, Tallaght, she created a path and opportunities for hundreds of students to move or return to education. That transformative decision by her and Katherine to initially open their home and then establish An Cosán has afforded so many people a life changing opportunity to access education and training.

“She was someone who fought for justice and equality, in particular in the areas of marriage equality and educational disadvantage. I will always remember the sheer joy on her face when the result of the Marriage Referendum was announced.

“It doesn’t seem that long ago that we talked about health and the importance of taking time out from the daily grind of work for you and your loved ones.

“Ann Louise and Katherine were very much a match, a pair, and that is what makes her passing so difficult.

“I want to take this opportunity to extend my deepest sympathies to my constituency colleague Minister Katherine Zappone on loss of her wife Ann Louise.

“Ar Dheis Dé go raibh ar anam.”

ENDS