Dr Vicky Conway

An associate professor of law at Dublin City University (DCU), Dr Conway was one of Ireland’s foremost researchers on policing. She was a member of the Commission on the Future of Policing and served twice as a member of the Policing Authority.

Professor Daire Keogh, president of DCU, said she was “one of our most talented and respected academics” as well as “an exceptional teacher and a wonderful colleague, whose contribution to the field of criminal law research represents an important legacy”.

Helen McEntee, the justice minister, paid tribute to her “important contribution to Irish society through her academic and professional work”.

She said: “Her voice has been a prominent one in relation to policing and criminal justice, and was at all times one of conviction and challenge. Her deep commitment to the human rights of the most vulnerable was evident in all of her work.

“I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to Vicky’s family and loved ones, her friends, colleagues and all the students she inspired through her teaching. Vicky’s untimely passing has shocked and saddened us all.”

Charlie Flanagan, who served as justice minister from 2017 to 2020, wrote in a tweet that Dr Conway “spoke truth to power” and had made an “important and valuable input” to the Commission on the Future of Policing. “May she rest in everlasting peace,” he said.

Bob Collins, chairperson of the Policing Authority, said: “Vicky’s contribution to policing was rooted not only in academic curiosity but in a genuine desire to ensure that everyone’s engagement with the Garda Síochána, in particular those most vulnerable in our society, was rooted in a respect for their humanity and a vindication of their human rights.

“Her contribution to, and impact on the work of the Authority and the oversight of policing is an important legacy for which we should all be very grateful.

“Those of us who worked very closely with Vicky witnessed not only her passion for oversight but her strong appreciation of the challenging work that police officers perform on our behalf and a desire to improve things on the ground for them.”

Sinéad Gibney, chief commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, said: “Dr Vicky Conway was hugely loved, hugely respected and deeply committed to pursuing some of the most challenging issues facing our society around policing, ensuring people’s dignity, and people’s access to justice.

“She was someone we in the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission had the huge pleasure to work with and to learn from. Our deepest sympathies to her family and friends.”

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) praised Dr Conway as “a brilliant and ground-breaking academic who made an enormous contribution to Irish law” and was “committed to using her expertise to help victims of human rights violations and to deliver justice to individuals and families who have been failed by our justice system”.

The organisation continued: “Vicky was an academic, broadcaster and activist of unmatched integrity, passion and good humour. We will miss her dearly and we extend our deepest sympathy to her mother, her siblings and her many friends and colleagues.”

The Irish Women Lawyers Association (IWLA) stated that Dr Conway was “a brilliant lawyer and fearless defender of the vulnerable”, adding: “Her passing is a huge loss to legal academia and the people whose rights she vehemently advocated and researched for. Our sincere condolences go to her family, friends, colleagues and students.”

The Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI), which promotes the human rights, equality and participation of sex workers, said it was “absolutely devastated to hear this news”. Dr Conway “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,” SWAI tweeted.