Tributes have been paid to the veteran Irish women's rights activist and trade unionist Sylvia Meehan, who has died aged 89.
Her death follows a long illness, according to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
She began her career in teaching, becoming heavily involved with the ASTI trade union during her teaching years, as well as the Women's Committee of ICTU.
She has been particularly credited with taking part in the movement towards achieving equal pay for women.
Ms Meehan served as the first chair and CEO of the Employment Equality Authority, from its establishment in 1997 until she left the role in 1992.
In more recent years, she served as President of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament.
ICTU General Secretary Patricia King said Ms Meehan's "pioneering work paved the way for a generation of feminists".
She observed: "Sylvia believed that woman must demand their place at the negotiating table and encouraged greater participation by women in the trade union movement, in civic society and in politics.
"It was typical of Sylvia that she never really retired and instead took on the challenge of serving as President of the Senior Citizen’s Parliament. She was especially proud to receive the Lord Mayor’s award for her work as an advocate of older people."
Sinn Féin spokesperson for workers' rights David Cullinane added that Ms Meehan was an "outstanding advocate and activist".
He observed: "Her life was dedicated to the betterment of the lives of women and workers in a state that had to be dragged kicking and screaming into a world of fairness and equality."
