Tributes Paid To Inez McCormack

Tributes have been paid at the funeral of prominent trade unionist and campaigner Inez McCormack in L’Derry.

Several hundred people are reported to have attended Ms McCormack’s funeral, which took place at the city cemetery on 23 January.

Many prominent trade unionists were in attendance.

Ms McCormack was born in Belfast in 1943 and began her career in the late 1960s, eventually becoming the first female president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

She became a prominent figure in the civil rights movement in the late 1960s.

A trade unionist, Ms McCormack campaigned for the rights of workers throughout her life; first with the union NUPE and then UNISON.

Her husband Vincent and daughter Anne were in attendance at her funeral.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams paid tribute to Ms McCormack, describing her as "a fearless opponent of injustice and a determined champion of civil rights, equality, women’s and workers' rights, and fair employment."

He told the Dáil: "I looked up to her most of my adult life. She took part in the march for civil rights in the 60s and she was still on that march when she died.

"On behalf of Sinn Féin I want to extend my sincerest condolences to her husband Vincent, her daughter Anne, son-in-law Mark and grandchildren Maisie and Jamie."

SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan said Ms McCormack was "impressive and effective in all she did. She stood for workers’ rights, for women’s rights, for equality and public services. As an organiser and as an advocate she championed the right of those serving others for lower pay than they deserved.

"Her positive outlook, compelling analysis and valid stances won international recognition as a standard bearer for social justice and a role model for all who seek economic emancipation."

(IT)