Fógraí bháis: Kathleen Glavey

KATHLEEN GLAVEY, from Dunblaney, Dunmore, in the county of Galway, passed away on Sunday, 6 July. She was surrounded by family members and spent the last precious days in their company.
Kathleen was diagnosed with cancer eight years ago and received treatment. Since that time, Kathleen worked tirelessly to rear her young family. Her young family, now grown, have all succeeded to high levels of academic achievement in recent years.
She was again diagnosed with cancer a little over a year ago and dealt with her treatment and passing with dignity, courage and strength.
Like many Republicans, Kathleen became involved during the time of 1981 Hunger Strikes and supported the prisoners in their struggle. She publicly brought the reality of the prison protest to the attention of a populace unaware in this part of the country.
But Kathleen and her husband, Tom, were also aware of the need for political development beyond conflict and the re-establishment of republican politics in the South is vital for the future generations. In response to this, Kathleen joined Sinn Féin in 2002 when a cumann was formed in Tuam, County Galway.
She held various duties and officer roles with the cumann and ran as a candidate in the 2004 local elections for the Tuam District County Council. This was a difficult assignment because there was no history of Sinn Féin support in many of the areas that she had to canvass and there were also popular and experienced opponents in the field. Regardless of this, Kathleen brought a face and a voice of republican politics to many small towns and parishes that had not been canvassed before.

LE CHEILE HONOUR
Kathleen was nominated by her comrades in the west as the Le Cheile recipient for Connacht earlier this year. Kathleen and her family gratefully received this acknowledgement although she was not able to attend the ceremony due to her treatment. Kathleen and her family graciously welcomed the good wishes and support from so many in the republican family.
To this day, the Glaveys are of the belief that there is a huge underlying anger, particularly in rural communities, at the way governments are running things.
The latest Lisbon referendum campaign showed that Kathleen was correct in identifying the huge potential that lies in many parts of the country. If we organise, engage and give a political voice to the people we will be doing justice to all those that have sacrificed during the generations of conflict.
Kathleen will be sadly missed in the Galway region but will be remembered as a clear and forward-thinking republican who was not afraid to take the first step.