The founder and chief executive of the Sexual Violence Centre Cork is set to retire this summer, but — true to form — Mary Crilly intends to continue campaigning. Nowadays, a retired garda chief superintendent serves on the centre’s board, and Ms Crilly has been awarded, in 2022, the freedom of her adopted city. “We’re making a big impact with the Safe Gigs, and I’m much happier running that, because I think running the centre requires new energy. Mary Crilly photographed in 2023: 'We’re making a big impact with the Safe Gigs, and I’m much happier running that.' Earlier this month, Ms Crilly was given special recognition for her work by the European Committee of the Regions at the Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Awards.

Source: Irish Examiner March 12, 2026 18:01 UTC