Ger South:GER SOUTH, who has died aged 77, was one of Ireland's foremost disability campaigners and worked tirelessly to secure improved care and conditions for people with an intellectual disability.
The former mayor of Limerick and TD for Limerick East Frank Prendergast described him as a “man of shining honesty” and a great social activist “especially for the underprivileged”.
Mr Prendergast recalled how he would “torment various ministers for health, because he was unrelenting and never put up with their vague promises”.
Former Munster MEP Kathy Sinnott, herself a disability campaigner, said: “Ger was one of the absolute greats of our time, and not just in disability terms. He was a pillar and everyone grouped around him.
“He knew the history of people with disabilities, and because of that he was very realistic and effective in what he did.”
Born in Limerick in 1931, Ger South was one of the three sons of John and Mary South. His older brother Seán was killed in January 1957 during an IRA attack on an RUC barracks in Fermanagh, but Ger chose to follow a different path.
Having completed his education at St Vincent de Paul School, Henry Street, he trained as a telephone engineer, working for what became Telecom Éireann. In the early 1980s he founded the Limerick Association of the Friends and Parents of the Disabled, and chaired the organisation for over 20 years.
The parent of a child with a disability, he was prompted to become involved in campaigning by the lack of government support and assistance for people in a similar situation.
In addition to his public role as a campaigner and lobbyist he also privately helped many families secure their entitlements.
At the formal dissolution of the association in 2007 the vice-chairman Frank O’Leary said Ger South had made an indelible impact on the lives of intellectually disabled people in Limerick.
“He has a big and caring heart and was rightly angered at the lack of support and resources available to the intellectually disabled and their families. He displayed relentless energy and commitment and simply would not accept token gestures or take ‘No’ for an answer.”
He was co-ordinator of the campaign by the Independents Health Alliance in the 2002 general election.
He emphasised that the eight candidates were genuine independents who would campaign for people at national level rather than “a bit of tarmacadam in Lixnaw”.
In 2004 he was named on the list of replacements in Kathy Sinnott’s successful campaign for election to the European Parliament.
A former president of the Limerick Council of Trade Unions, he was involved in efforts to find a solution to the inter-union dispute at Ferenka in the late 1970s that preceded the factory’s closure.
A keen sportsman, he played rugby, Gaelic football and hurling.
He lined out for Suttonians RFC while working in Dublin, and in Limerick captained the Bohemians RFC first team during the 1956-57 season. A commanding second-row, he played on the side that included Irish international Mick English.
He played hurling and football for St Brendan’s GAA club, Limerick
Involved in the FCA and scouting movement, he took his family on camping holidays in counties Clare and Kerry. He lived at Richmond Park, Corbally.
His work for people with a disability was formally recognised in 2000 when he received a civic award from Limerick City Council.
Predeceased by his wife Bernie, he is survived by his sons Owen, Ciaran, Fergus and Niall, daughter Deirdre and brother Jim.
Gerard Anthony (Ger) South: born November 12th, 1931; died August 13th, 2009