President leads tributes to 'wonderful' Ciara Mageean
President Catherine Connolly has led tributes to Irish Olympian and European champion runner Ciara Mageean.
President Catherine Connolly paid tribute to Irish Olympian and European champion runner Ciara Mageean, who was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in July 2025. Connolly praised Mageean for her exceptional talent, strength, perseverance, clear speaking, and determination to succeed throughout her remarkable career. The President noted that Mageean's qualities made her beloved by the public, who stood with her during her health battles and admired her advocacy for those suffering in conflicts like Gaza.
Connolly expressed condolences to Mageean's husband Thomas, family, friends, and fellow athletes. Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill also mourned the loss, describing Mageean as a champion and an inspiration. Mageean, born in Portaferry, County Down, represented Ireland at the highest level and faced her health challenges with courage and dignity.
Written by urgent.news from RTE News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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