Grieving family and friends of hero CervicalCheck campaigner Lynsey Bennett are gathering in St. John’s Church in Longford to pay their final respects to her.
The mum-of-two, who captured the hearts of the nations, lost her battle with cancer on Thursday.
One by one the car park outside the church filled as steady stream of funeral-goers carrying black umbrellas began making their way into the church shortly after 11am ahead of the midday service.
READ MORE: The life and times of Lynsey Bennett
The town itself was eerily quiet as people headed to the inspirational campaigner's funeral.
Several small groups mingled in the car park before they made their way inside.
She will be buried in St John’s adjoining church yard after the service today.
Ms Bennett first made national headlines when she gave a heartbreaking statement outside the High Court in Dublin after settling an action over an alleged cervical cancer misdiagnosis.
She had sued the Health Service Executive (HSE), as well as Irish testing laboratory Eurofins Biomnis Ireland Ltd, Sandyford Industrial Estate, Dublin and US Laboratory Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, New Jersey.
A settlement was reached, and Ms Bennett set up a trust fund for both her children.
Speaking to the media after the case she said: “To my daughters Zoe and Hailee, I hope I have done enough to secure you both a future free of financial worries and that even with me not here to guide you, you can both pursue your dreams.
“And always remember, Mammy loves you”.
The young 34-year-old mother from Co Longford was diagnosed with an invasive form of cervical cancer in 2017 and went to court in 2021.
She later appeared on the Late Late Show saying she was relieved that her children would have support in the future following her High Court action.
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