President Higgins pays tribute to Mayo-born disability rights campaigner

PRESIDENT Michael D. Higgins has paid tribute to Mayo man Donal Toolan (50), whose death has taken place.

The deceased, a native of Knockanara, Ballyhaunis, and a resident of Irishtown, Dublin, was a widely respected disability rights campaigner, journalist and actor.

In 1990, during the presidency of Mary Robinson, he became the first person with a disability to be nominated to the Council of State.

In his statement, President Higgins said: “I have heard with sadness of the passing of Donal Toolan, co-ordinator of the Forum of People with Disabilities and former member of the Council of State.

'A deeply committed advocate for legislation on disability rights, Donal Toolan had a rare skill to establish a rapport with all those with whom he dealt.

'As a journalist, actor and campaigner he made a contribution to Irish public life that was of immense value. He will be missed in particular by all of us who had the privilege of knowing him.

'Sabina and I express our condolences to his family, colleagues and wide circle of friends.'

A wheelchair user from early childhood, he presented the RTÉ Radio series 'Not So Different' and in 1993 he was awarded a Jacobs award and the National Broadcast Journalist of the Year prize for his work on the RTÉ television documentary series 'In From the Margins'.

Despite suffering serious health problems recently, he played a leading stage role in Rosaleen McDonagh's 'Mainstream' at Dubin’s Project Arts Theatre last December.

He is survived by six siblings, eight nephews and nieces and a grand-nephew in whom he took particular pride. He was a son of the late Jackie and Rita, Ballyhaunis.

His remains will be reposing at St. Matthew’s Church, Irishtown, Dublin, this evening (Tuesday) from 5.30 until 8 o’clock and at Donnellan’s Funeral Home, Clare Street, Ballyhaunis, on Wednesday evening from 5 o’clock with removal at 7 o’clock to Logboy Church.

Funeral Mass on Thursday at 12 o’clock will be followed by burial in Ballyhaunis Cemetery.

Deepest sympathy is extended to the Toolan family on the loss.