Triona was born in London in June 1952, the second child of John and Kathleen Dooney. The family returned to live in Ballaghdereen, Co Roscommon and Triona attended the Convent of Mercy, Roscommon from 1965 to 1970.
A friend from school, Noreen Nolan, remembers Triona as "the best read girl in the class and no doubt in the school". Triona's command of the English language and her familiarity with literature ensured her a permanent place at the top of the class.
In her final year Triona was appointed a prefect. Her diplomacy skills were very much in evidence, as was her kindness to others, particularly first-year students in their traditional place at the bottom of the boarding school hierarchy. Triona maintained friendships from her days in Roscommon, reminiscing in later years about the fun, the friendships and the negotiations for change with the good sisters.
University College Galway was Triona`s next destination. Her student days in Galway were formative for her politics. The conflict in Northern Ireland helped shape Triona`s abhorrence of sectarianism and violence and her commitment to active participation in politics as a means of effecting change in society. Her commitment to peace and progress in Northern Ireland was fundamental to her political beliefs.
A member of Sinn FΘin, The Workers' Party, Triona was active in student politics via the Chilean Support Group and campaigns for improved local authority housing and adequate student grants. The weekly production of the Galway People on a reluctant Gestetner copier was one of the less attractive political chores, but not one that Triona shirked. Notwithstanding her political activity, Triona secured a 2.1 Batchelor of Arts in French and English. Her chosen topic for her Masters was the work of Peader O'Donnell.
Triona`s political life was characterised by a willingness to take on a range of responsibilities and she was a former vice-president of the Workers' Party. She later held a number of key positions in Democratic Left and was a member of the general council of the Labour Party. She also stood for the Dβil in the Dublin North Central constituency in the 1987 and 1989 general elections, reluctantly at first, as she shunned the spotlight.
Political colleagues knew her as a consistent source of considered and sound political advice. She had the invaluable ability to disagree with others while retaining their friendship and respect. Triona listened to opposing arguments and was always open to progressive change. For example, her initial opposition to European Union membership changed to wholehearted support and she was a key member of Proinsias De Rossa's European election team.
Throughout her political life Triona was particularly active in promoting gender equality. Her contributions to the women's committees of the Workers' Party and Democratic Left and to the Labour Women's National Council were invaluable. On wider equality issues she was no less committed.
Triona worked in the Higher Education Authority from January 1978 and was Assistant Secretary at the time of her death. In a tribute, John Hayden, Secretary of the HEA, said: "A particularly accomplished official in the public service, Triona at all times demonstrated the highest standards of her profession and by dint of her hard work and gifted intellect won the confidence of all those involved no matter how detailed the brief. Her calm and considerate personality endeared her to all her work colleagues and made her a valued staff member".
Among the many committees to whose work she contributed were the Committee on the Future Development of Higher Education (1985) and the Review Committee on Post-Secondary Education and Training Places (1999), of which she was executive secretary. In keeping with her lifelong commitment to equality, she had a special interest in HEA initiatives in the area of socially disadvantaged and mature students as well as provision for students with disabilities.
Triona had a keen interest in walking and enjoyed this pursuit with many friends. She loves reading and had wall-to-wall bookshelves filled with books on every topic. Among her other hobbies were cooking and DIY; like everything she tackled, she did both extremely well.
Triona`s untimely death left a void for her family, friends and work colleagues. In his tribute to her, Proinsias De Rossa, TD, MEP, said: "We will miss Triona and the best tribute we can pay to her is to continue her work, the only way we can now repay her for her friendship."
N.G.