She passed away in County Kerry, it has been confirmed.
Emma Mhic Mhathúna, a high profile figure at the centre of the cervical cancer controversy, has passed away at 37 years of age.
RTÉ confirmed the news on Sunday afternoon, noting that Ms Mhic Mhathúna died in her native County Kerry.
The mother-of-five was given a terminal diagnosis of cancer after originally being told that her smear test was clear in 2013, but that turned out to be inaccurate information.
Three years later, her cancer was diagnosed and she was never told about her incorrect smear test.
In May, she settled her case against the HSE and Quest Diagnostics for €7.5 million.
The HSE admitted liability for not disclosing the findings of the CervicalCheck audit.
Speaking to reporters following the result, she said:
“The higher the money, and the more apologies they have to give, the more they’re going to have to make changes because nobody likes parting with money.
“Eventually they’ll get fed up handing out high amounts of money and (they’ll realise) it’ll just be easier to do the smear test properly in the first place.
“It would make sense to check the smear test rather than handing out a big cheque.”
Also in May, Ms Mhic Mhathúna gave an incredibly powerful and moving interview on RTÉ Morning Ireland where she recounted her tragic story.
“I’ve been told I’m dying… I’m dying and I don’t need to be,” she said.
“I’m only 37. This isn’t fair. This is what makes it so heartbreaking, I’m dying when I don’t need to die.”
Later that week, she appeared on The Late Late Show, where she received an emotional standing ovation from those in attendance.
A well deserved standing ovation for Emma from the #latelate studio audience.
Thank you to her for sharing her story. pic.twitter.com/y6HLzQlexK— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) May 11, 2018
Later, President Michael D. Higgins travelled to Ms Mhic Mhathúna’s home in Kerry, resulting in a meeting that gave her some hope that decisive action would follow.
“It’s a moment that the Government will have to recognise,” she said.
“Having the President coming to meet me shows that something somewhere has failed and that it will be addressed.
“He listened to everything I said. He had some very touching words and comforting words for me, especially knowing the road I have ahead,” Ms Mhic Mhathúna concluded at the time.
Minister for Health Simon Harris paid tribute on Twitter shortly after the tragic news was confirmed on Sunday afternoon.
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. We must beat this cancer with vaccination & screening. We are determined to build a programme worthy of women like Emma
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) October 7, 2018
CEO of the Marie Keating Foundation, Liz Yeates, also expressed her condolences.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Emma Mhic Mhathúna,” said Yeates.
“This tragedy reminds us of how the 221 women and their families at the heart of this cervical screening controversy have been so badly let down. The Marie Keating Foundation is doing all we can to offer support to these women and those affected and to give them a voice.
“We offer our deepest condolences to Emma’s children and wider family at this very difficult time.”
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