Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, Social Justice Pioneer, Dies

Sister Stanislaus “Sr Stan” Kennedy (born Treasa Kennedy, 19 June 1939) has died aged 86 after a short stay at St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown; her death was announced on Monday. She founded Focus Point (now Focus Ireland) in 1985 following research into women experiencing homelessness and helped create a 365‑day Temple Bar coffee shop on Eustace Street that provided subsidised meals and support. She established the Immigrant Council of Ireland in 2001, founded Young Social Innovators, and served as the first chair of the Combat Poverty Agency. She was appointed to the Council of State by President Mary McAleese and received numerous honours and honorary doctorates for her campaigning. Political, organisational and religious leaders — including Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan and the Religious Sisters of Charity — paid tribute to her lifelong dedication to social justice.