Justice minister Charlie Flanagan has said he is deeply saddened to learn of the untimely death of Norah Gibbons.

“Norah was an exceptional woman who brought her innate judgment, common sense and humanity to everything she did,” the minister said this morning.

Norah Gibbons was the first chair of the Child and Family Agency Tusla, from 2014-18, and she advocated for children's rights throughout her career. 

She was a qualified social worker with significant practical experience in Ireland and Britain.

Legacy

The minister said that Norah Gibbons had left behind a tremendous legacy, in particular for the children of Ireland, and her leadership of an independent study into familicide and domestic homicide.

Responsibility for leading that study was recently, at the request of Norah Gibbons, passed to Maura Butler. 

Maura Butler is a solicitor and former Blackhall Place criminal law tutor, and has been a member of the study’s advisory group since its establishment.

Resolute

“It was typical of her resolute sense of purpose that, in recent weeks, she was keen to ensure that this important work would be completed, and I was glad to be able to give her that assurance,” Minister Flanagan said.

“All through her life, she was a passionate and tireless advocate for children and others in vulnerable situations. First, as a social worker, and in later roles, including Director of Advocacy at Barnardos, she devoted her career to improving the lives of others.”

Historic child abuse

Norah Gibbons was a member of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, and other bodies addressing the horror of historic child abuse, both in this State and in Northern Ireland.

Ms Gibbons also chaired the Roscommon Child Abuse Inquiry and co-chaired the Independent Child Death Review.

She was Director of Advocacy with Barnardos (2005-2012) and a member of the Acknowledgement Forum of the Historical Abuse Inquiry in Northern Ireland (2012-2015).

The minister extended his deepest sympathy to her husband Seán, son Miles and daughter Maireas, and wider family circle.