Tributes pour in for legal academic and activist, Dr Vicky Conway

The DCU community, public figures and Repeal activists, among other groups, have offered their condolences after the sudden passing of Dr Vicky Conway yesterday.

Dr Conway was an associate professor of law at Dublin City University (DCU), a former member of the Policing Authority and the Commission on the Future of Policing, and host of the Policed in Ireland.

Taking to Twitter, DCU School of Law and Government said: "We are terribly sad to have to share the passing of our colleague Vicky Conway. She was a wonderful person, wise and kind, and we will miss her."

In June, she organised a first-of-its-kind conference to discuss police custody in Ireland, bringing together gardaí, members of the Garda Inspectorate and the Policing Authority, representatives of NGOs, academics from universities across Ireland and the UK and international experts.

Days ago, the Policing Authority commissioned Dr Conway to lead new research into the experience and perceptions of policing within diverse and minority communities in Ireland.

Dr Conway joined the School of Law and Governance in DCU in July 2015, having previously held positions at the University of Kent, Queen's University Belfast, the University of Limerick and the University of Leeds.

She was made Associate Professor of Law in 2017 and is the School's first Convenor of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Students of DCU have paid tribute to their mentor, who taught across a range of modules related to criminal law, criminology and policing. Conway also held visiting scholar positions in North America, Australia and Ireland.

As well as being an ally for the Stardust campaign, Vicky was a core member of Doctors for Choice. The group rallied around reproductive justice in Ireland and were pivotal in the Repeal referendum.

Dr Conway was a leading researcher on policing in Ireland with an emphasis on the intersection between social change, police culture and police accountability.

In 2020, she started an innovative podcast with the support of Tony Groves called Policed in Ireland (@policedpodcast) which creates a space to hear the lived experience of being policed in Ireland.

Her Tortoise Shack podcast colleague shared a poignant statement on Twitter today, writing that: "She meant so much and helped so many. We are heartbroken for her family and everyone who knew her."

We are devastated, heartbroken, shocked and in mourning for our dear friend, Dr Vicky Conway. Love and miss you, pal. #RestInPowerVicky pic.twitter.com/TXe1mlex7N

— Tony - Pod Guy - Groves (@Trickstersworld) July 20, 2022

Martin McMahon of The Echo Chamber podcast also expressed his deep sadness at the loss.

"No matter how bad I was feeling, there was always a message of support from Vicky. 'Brave' is the word best describes Vicky for me. She faced her fears and stood strong against powerful institutions. We are poorer for her passing. I miss her dreadfully already. RIP," he tweeted.

No matter how bad I was feeling, there was always a message of support from Vicky. 'Brave' is the word best describes Vicky for me. She faced her fears and stood strong against powerful institutions. We are poorer for her passing. I miss her dreadfully already. RIP.

— martinmcmahon (@williamhboney1) July 20, 2022

Senator Lynn Ruane added her voice to the chorus, with #RestInPowerVicky now trending.

"Vicky was one of the few I knew was unapologetically, authentically and wholly with communities like mine. Always at hand to support my work and through that grew friendship and through friendship grew great admiration. Your work will live on and your power will fight on."

Vicky was one of the few I knew was unapologetically, authentically and wholly with communities like mine. Always at hand to support my work and through that grew friendship and through friendship grew great admiration. Your work will live on and your power will fight on. 💜❤️ pic.twitter.com/yG3B1s6bai

— Senator Lynn Ruane (@SenLynnRuane) July 20, 2022

"We are saddened to hear of Vicky Conway's death, whom many of us knew through Lawyers for Choice," Abortion Rights IE tweeted. "Her work, like many, made a lasting change in Ireland, and we are better for having agitated alongside her. Our deepest condolences to Vicky's family, friends, and colleagues."

Former head of Amnesty Ireland, Colm O'Gorman, also described how deep the loss feels for the community.

Oh no! This is so terribly sad, awful news.

Vicky was the most wonderful person. Funny, brilliant, warm and generous. She was also a fantastic legal mind, and a phenomenal advocate. She will be terribly missed.

Heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved her. https://t.co/YqjK7oW9HZ

— Colm O'Gorman 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 (@Colmogorman) July 20, 2022

"Oh no! This is so terribly sad, awful news. Vicky was the most wonderful person. Funny, brilliant, warm and generous. She was also a fantastic legal mind, and a phenomenal advocate. She will be terribly missed. Heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved her.

We are saddened to hear of Vicky Conway's death, whom many of us knew through @Lawyers4Choice. 

Her work, like many, made a lasting change in Ireland, and we are better for having agitated alongside her.

Our deepest condolences to Vicky's family, friends, and colleagues. https://t.co/FChSfbOebV

— Abortion Rights IE (@freesafelegal) July 20, 2022

"Vicky was a clever, kind, brilliant person, and a great friend to everyone in LfC. We will miss her more than we can say," Lawyers for Choice stated.

Vicky was a clever, kind, brilliant person, and a great friend to everyone in LfC. We will miss her more than we can say. https://t.co/b2PTi4BMuE

— Lawyers for Choice (@Lawyers4Choice) July 20, 2022

"We are absolutely devastated to hear this news," the Sex Workers Alliance of Ireland tweeted. "Vicky was an incredible ally to sex workers, hosted several sex workers and allies on her Policed in Ireland podcast and was a massive pro choice legend with Lawyers for Choice. She will be missed."

We are absolutely devastated to hear this news.

Vicky was an incredible ally to sex workers, hosted several sex workers and allies on her @PolicedPodcast podcast and was a massive pro choice legend with @Lawyers4Choice.

She will be missed.
https://t.co/tA4zslRv2K

— Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) (@SWAIIreland) July 20, 2022

Read some of the moving statements in Dr Conway's honour below.

I am reeling at this news. Vicky was the most empathetic and gentle person. Her work in reaching out to those who have been let down by the state was phenomenal and there won’t be another like her. She was a truly good person. We’re the poorer without her. I hope she’s at peace. https://t.co/e71XqsZ7Xs

— aoife moore. (@aoifegracemoore) July 20, 2022

Beautiful and precious Vicky, may you rest in peace 🕊️

Deepest condolences to Vicky's nearest and dearest during this heartbreaking time. The world is a much lesser place without her.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. https://t.co/GQlWduU1yc

— Anne Marie Quilligan (@amquilli) July 20, 2022

What a loss. A loss to her family, to her friends and to her colleagues. But also a terrible loss to the whole country. Whether we knew it or not, Vicky made every single person in Ireland’s life better.

A voice gifted to those silenced, a mind intent on making things better. https://t.co/FYCQRNB0JP

— Simon McGarr (@Tupp_Ed) July 20, 2022

First met Vicky in the Old Bar in UCC in 2001 where she gave me six tokens for free pints of Miller (a power as Law Soc chair). To 21 years of laughs and friendship. Vicky was accomplished but her greatest trait was being a wonderful friend. I am going to miss you so much 😘 https://t.co/eP9NNtQtIk

— Liam Thornton (@LTlaw_) July 20, 2022

They say you should try to give people their roses while they are alive. Vicky was so good at that. We will miss her so much. So much. https://t.co/Q69pj3dWle

— Máiréad Enright (@maireadenright) July 20, 2022

Vicky was one of the most courageous and passionate academics I know - she spent her entire career speaking truth to power, and giving generously of her expertise to anyone that needed it. Her loss will be felt deeply and widely, as a brilliant friend, colleague, and ally. https://t.co/TSDGkfzOf4

— Dr Jennifer Schweppe (@jschweppe) July 20, 2022

Vicky’s death is not just a devastating loss to all who loved and knew her, but also for Irish justice. She was a rare, brave and good soul that dared to speak truth to power, calling out injustice in Ireland.
1/ https://t.co/rhK7eHQzxH

— Adeline Berry 🏳️‍⚧️🇵🇸 (@adeline_whitney) July 20, 2022

Heartbreaking to hear this sad news. Vicky was such a wonderful, kind and compassionate person as well as a brilliant academic. She will be missed by many people in many circles. Condolences to all her family, friends, colleagues and students. R.I.P https://t.co/7ziS5dJBsH

— Dr Sindy Joyce (@SindyLJoyce) July 20, 2022

May Vicky RIP, she was indeed a wonderful, smart and kind person. Our last conversation together, she was determined to improve the lives of Black Students and Students of Colour in DCU. My sympathies to her family, friends, colleagues and the people she inspired ❤ https://t.co/WX3uly9x5H

— Christine O'Mahony 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️✊🏾 (@christineomg5) July 20, 2022