TRIBUTES have poured in from far and wide for a ‘fearless and tireless’ voice for those living with disabilities, who is to be laid to rest this week.
Leigh Gath (née Loy), of Pallaskenry, County Limerick, passed away unexpectedly in her home this past Saturday (July 27). Described as a “passionate disability advocate and activist”, Ms Gath leaves behind a lasting legacy and will be remembered as an advocate “full of spirit with fire in her belly”.
Born in Newry and educated in special schools in Belfast, Ms Gath was a thalidomide survivor who first rose into the national consciousness when she led a sleep-out at the Department of the Taoiseach in 2012 in protest against cuts to personal assistance and home help services.
She was named the HSE’s first ever confidential recipient in 2014, in the wake of the Aras Attracta abuse scandal, which saw her support and be a voice for countless people living with disabilities across Ireland.
The indominatable Newry woman was also responsible for an update in legilsation for car modification users in Ireland getting vehicles imported from the UK, who previously had to pay thousands of euro in taxes. After a meeting with former Finance Minister Michael McGrath, Leigh was able to have add-on legislation passed by government to help support disabled drivers.
The mother of two was emitomised by the phrase ‘don’t tell me I can’t’ – which also became the name of her autobiography, where she wrote about her upbringing during the Troubles and her escape from an abusive marriage.
She leaves behind her husband Eugene, also a thalidomide survivor, and children Karl and Aisling.
Paying tribute to the late campaigner and advocate, HSE CEO Bernard Gloster said he was “privileged to know Leigh professionally and personally over several years. She achieved many great things and always for the benefit of others.”
“She gave a voice to many who otherwise were silent, and she challenged all professionals and organisations and governments to think differently.
“Leigh was never defined by her own disability. When the serious work was done for a day, she was always great fun to bump into and would lift the mood of those who encountered her.”
Former Minister McGrath wrote on obituary website RIP.ie that he was “honoured to meet Leigh last year and to work with her on important changes to the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme. These changes would not have happened were it not for her passion and advocacy. She was a formidable woman who made a huge impression on me and no doubt on everyone else she met.”
Other mourners described her as “a tireless and fearless advocate for those she represented in her role as confidential recipient”.
“Leigh was first and foremost a genuinely great human being, defined only by what was within her and she remained true to that until the end … Heaven won’t know what has hit it.”
Ms Gath is survived by her husband Eugene, children Karl and Aisling, nieces, nephews, relatives, and a wide circle of friends from Limerick, Newry, Texas, and all over the world. She is pre-deceased by her parents and her sister Anne.
She will be reposing at St Mary’s Church in Pallaskenry on Tuesday July 30, from 6pm to 7pm. Funeral Mass will take place at 12pm on Wednesday followed by burial at Kilcornan Cemetery.
The family have requested that their home remain strictly private, and have suggested donations to the Samaritans or Enable Ireland in lieu of flowers.
