Alan Kelly has told how he has been inspired by watching close friend Vicky Phelan fight for justice for cervical cancer victims.
The Tipperary TD has been the campaigner’s biggest supporter in the Dail and said seeing her in good form on a night out together gave him a “great lift”.
Mr Kelly told the Irish Mirror about the “amazing woman” he shared a night out with at The Stunning at a special gig in Lisdoonvarna a few weeks ago.
The Labour leader opened up about his close pal who has terminal cancer in an interview with the Irish Mirror before Christmas.
Mr Kelly was reluctant at first to speak about his campaigning friend.
He said: “There’s certain parts of...I’m a very direct speaker and I’ll always answer questions honestly and openly.
“It’s a deep personal relationship I have with Vicky, so there’s a certain line I won’t cross for personal reasons.” But he opened up in a sensitive way to tell about some of the great times they have enjoyed in recent weeks and months.
Mr Kelly said: “I have lots of communications with Vicky, I called to her and saw her on her birthday [October 28] and we’d a really good chat.
“I then a couple of weeks later met her with Lorraine Walsh [another cervical cancer scandal survivor] and we’d a fantastic lunch together.
“Last weekend I went with her and John Wall, who fights for medical cards for those with terminal illness. We had committed, ah, it’s well over a year ago, it could be 14 or 15 months ago, to go and see The Walls, The Stunning.
“It kept getting postponed and as she said on The Late Late Show, she was about to go see them.
“We had those tickets, I had my tickets, she had her tickets, we had it all co-ordinated, so we ended up in Lisdoonvarna last weekend.”
Vicky’s favourite band, The Stunning, played an intimate gig in the Royal Spa Hotel in Lisdoonvarna on December 4.
Mr Kelly said: “It was fantastic, it was brilliant, it was one of the most enjoyable nights I’ve ever put down.
“She’s in good form.”
Mr Kelly became emotional as he thought back of mum-of-two Vicky having a good time.
He said: “When I saw that, ah, when I saw kind of the spirit she’s in, it gives me, a great lift. She’s an amazing woman.
“She’s still fighting, still trying her best, trying everything.”
Mr Kelly also arranged the emotional meeting between veteran broadcaster Charlie Bird and the brave campaigner.
Charlie recently revealed his devastating diagnosis of motor neurone disease but he plans to climb Croagh Patrick in March to raise funds for awareness of MND, which has no cure.
Mr Kelly added: “Do you know what, I hope we’re all climbing Croagh Patrick with him in a few months’ time.”
