Irish Senator Katherine Zappone (L) kisses her partner Ann Louise Gilligan (R) at Dublin Castle following the 2015 same-sex marriage referendum in Ireland (PAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty)
Dr Ann Louise Gillian, the wife of Irish Minister Dr Katherine Zappone, has died.
Gillian passed away after suffering from a brief illness which has not been revealed.
Katherine Zappone (R) arrives with her partner Ann Louise Gilligan (L) for the first day of the Irish parliament in 2016. (Photo credit should read PAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images)
Gillian and Zappone, who have been together since 1981, were both pioneers on LGBT rights in Ireland.
Zappone described her late wife as her “love and life-partner” as well as an “educator extraordinaire”.
“Dr Gilligan was deeply committed to education and equality and made a lasting contribution to Irish society, in particular as co-founder and director of An Cosan and through her work in campaigning for marriage equality,” he said.
Other friends and family of Gillan called her a “champion of equality” and “strong advocate for social justice”.
Tánaiste and Enterprise Minister Frances Fitzgerald said: “Dr Gilligan’s contribution towards Marriage Equality, and all of the issues she fought for, means that Ireland is a more equal, more compassionate and kinder place.
“I had the great pleasure of knowing her. She was, quite simply, inspiring.”
Brendan Howlin, leader of the Irish Labour Party added that Dr Gillan “leaves beg=hind a wonderful legacy and a distinctive mark on a more equal Ireland.”
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