merrion street

It is with great sadness that I learned of the death of the great disability campaigner and activist Martin Naughton and I wish to extend my deepest condolences to his sisters, family and wide circle of friends. Martin spent his whole life working to improve the lives of people with a disability. One of Martin’s passions was spreading the word of Independent Living and empowering people with disabilities to live independent lives where possible. One of the great legacies of Martin’s life is that having set up the first Centre for Independent Living in Ireland, there are now over twenty CILs throughout the country. Martin was recently appointed to the Government Task Force on Personalised Budgets for people with disabilities and I know his presence will be sadly missed.

The disability and wider community have lost a true champion. Martin’s journey, difficult at times as it was, has now sadly ended and it was my privilege to have known and worked with him. May he rest in peace.