Minister pays tribute to disability campaigner Martin Naughton

DISABILITY Minister Finian McGrath today paid tribute to well-known campaigner, Martin Naughton, who passed away yesterday at the age of 62.

The Galway native, who went on to found the Centre for Independent Living, spent much of his early life at St Mary’s Hospital in Baldoyle.

Today, Minister McGrath stated: “It is with great sadness that I learned of the death of the great disability campaigner and activist Martin Naughton. 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.”

He added: “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 20 centres 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.”