Emma Mhic Mhathuna – one of the women at the centre of the Irish cervical cancer scandal – has died.
The 37-year-old passed away in at University Hospital Kerry in Tralee, RTE News reports.
The mum-of-five revealed back in July that her cancer had spread to her brain – but said she was “not afraid”.
She had earlier in the summer settled a case against the HSE and a US lab for €7.5million after she was wrongly given the all-clear following a Cervical Check smear test in 2013.
That year, Emma, from Dingle, was told that assessments had come back as clear but earlier this year she was informed she was terminally ill with cancer.
Speaking after the decision on June 29, Emma said the money represented the amount of damage done to her and her kids.
She insisted: “I am not surprised it settled before it went to court. I am a very strong character and they realised what they were up against.”
Health Minister Simon Harris said this afternoon we “must beat this cancer with vaccination and screening” and vowed he was “determined to build a programme worthy of women like Emma”.
He said: “Very sad to hear of Emma Mhic Mhathúna’s passing.
“She showed incredible bravery in fighting a terrible disease. Thoughts with her family on this dreadful loss.”