'A star that inspires us': Emma Mhic Mhathúna's funeral to pass by government buildings
: Emma Mhic Mhathúna has been described as "a star that inspires us" at her funeral service in Baile na nGall today.
Fr Eoghan Ó Cadhla led the mass for the mother-of-five and said Ms Mhic Mhathúna as a woman of deep faith.
Her family said she was a fantastic mother and friend who would be missed and thanked the people of Ireland for taking her to their hearts.
A second funeral will take place tomorrow at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral in Dublin before burial in Maynooth, Co Kildare.
In a statement released by her family today, they said that the funeral procession would pass by Leinster House, government buildings and the Department of Health.
It was one of Emma's wishes "to encourage those within to hold a mirror up to the organisations and agencies that they preside over politically and practically".
"Before she slipped from our world, our beloved Emma requested that her final journey should pass by Leinster House at Kildare Street, Government Buildings on Merrion Street and Department of Health on Baggot Street," her family said in the statement.
"The purpose of this route is not to protest. It is a final and departing effort to encourage those within to hold a mirror up to the organisations and agencies that they preside over politically and practically.
Moreover, it is a request to those organisations and agencies to commit to ensure that Emma's tragic situation will never happen to another Irish mother or Irish woman again.
"Whilst Emma was at odds with institutions and the agencies her decision to pass by them should not be interpreted as a personal criticism of any one individual but rather the institutions within."
They said that if people wish to pay their requests to Emma, they should do so "as a mark of recognition of the unquestionable and valuable contribution that she has undoubtedly made to the future health of the women of Ireland for generations to come".
"The final part of Emma's journey will be to Aras an Uachtrain as a mark of her personal appreciation to President Michael D Higgins and to thank him for all of his during Emma's final months."
Earlier: Family and friends gather for Emma Mhic Mhathúna's funeral Mass
The funeral Mass of Emma Mhic Mhathuna has taken place in West Kerry.
The family and friends of the CervicalCheck campaigner gathered in Baile na nGall to pay their final respects.
The 37-year-old died on Sunday from cervical cancer.
Emma was one of 221 women with cervical cancer who were given incorrect smear results.
She was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2016 after two smear tests she had received failed to pick up signs of the disease
Earlier this year, she received a terminal diagnosis and, in June, she took the HSE and US laboratory Quest diagnostics to court and was awarded €7.5m in damages.
In the days since her death, tributes have poured in. She's been described as a wonderful mother and a tireless campaigner who fought for social justice during times of great personal challenge.
Her funeral Mass took place at Carraig Church in Ballydavid, West Kerry, at 11am.
That is being followed by removal to St Mary's Pro-Cathedral in Dublin tomorrow afternoon.
She will be buried alongside her mother, Annette, at Laraghbryan Cemetery in Maynooth, Co Kildare.
