Dr Mary Grehan — An Appreciation
by Michael Daly

I first met Mary Grehan in 1987 and joined the new association she had just founded. The Association of General Practitioners reflected Mary’s personality and she guided and led it with honourable principles and unmatched energy.

A talking shop was anathema. Chatter and ‘ifs and buts’ were ruled out of order at the meetings she chaired. She knew what needed to be done, always found a way — and kept her executive in ‘doing’ mode.

Remarkable successes were achieved through her guidance and urgings. The right to retain the Fee-Per-Item contract and the Withholding Tax cases were unprecedented High Court victories for Mary and the AGP. Hundreds of doctors lost out when under duress they accepted the new contract before the case was won. And again, the VHI withdrew their primary care plan when Mary joined battle with typical directness.

Through all the busy years great and sincere friendships grew in the AGP. Mary was central to our camaraderie. Her never-failing potion after meetings was sparkling water. She needed no artificial sparkle to effervesce. Our AGMs were the happiest occasions. Business was done expeditiously and Mary led the revelry thereafter. She loved a funny story, especially the one about the hitch-hiker and the Naas races. She laughed as heartily at the 20th annual repitition as at the first telling.

Mary maintained an intense interest in politics during her busiest years as a GP and supremo of the AGP. She was a County Councillor and a member of Dundalk Town Council. Few in those chambers challenged her such was her grasp of affairs and delivery in debate. She was narrowly defeated at election to Dail Eireann. She pursued business interests profitably while looking after her faithful patients in her large and innovative practice. The affection and sense of loss shown at her obsequies by her patients, staff and fellow councillors were a deserved public tribute to her.

We have many happy memories of a staunch and wonderful person, doctor and leader. Her achievements must not go unsung. Her husband Gay faithfully accompanied Mary to all her meetings. He was a colossal support to her as she pursued her many interests. Despite all her labours, all we ever saw from Mary was a happy positive personality dedicated to achieving the aims of the AGP.

We all miss her greatly. To Gay, and their children Alan, David and Maeve , whom we got to know so well, we offer our deepest sympathy. Duine croiul uasal croga I, ar dheis De go raibh a h-anam dilis.

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