09/01/2026
Thank you to ILMI for this excellent tribute to Dermot Hayes. His loss is a great blow to our community. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.
A tribute to Dermot Hayes from ILMI
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the sudden passing of our friend and comrade, Dermot Hayes, on Saturday 3rd January, surrounded by his family.
Dermot will be fondly remembered by disabled activists from across Ireland, but his loss will be felt by many, such was the breadth and depth of his community work and activism for over 50 years.
Dermot was born in Corofin in 1954 and, as he would proudly tell everyone, the same year as Martin Naughton. Dermot got involved in his local youth centre at the age of fourteen and quickly took on leadership roles, developing his organising skills in community settings, including being part of a workers’ co operative.
In his working life, those leadership skills saw Dermot elected as a shop steward and later as chair of the local Trade Council, where he demonstrated his passion for equality, speaking on workers’ rights, inclusion in the workplace and women’s rights.
Dermot was one of the founding members of Disabled People of Clare in 1992 and was an active member of the Forum of People with Disabilities. He later worked with People With Disabilities Ireland as a regional development worker in Munster, supporting groups that were being set up in each county, including Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Kerry and Waterford.
Dermot was one of the key activists who campaigned against the proposed Disability Act in 2002 and was also vocal about the shortcomings of the 2005 Act. Dermot continued to mobilise disabled people regionally and nationally through the work of People With Disabilities Ireland, but unfortunately, when the organisation closed down in 2011, Dermot lost his job.
In 2013, Dermot was one of the founders of the Clare Leader Forum, and he continued both locally and nationally to mobilise for change by helping to create local and national structures. He was co opted onto the board of the Center for Independent Living in 2017 and was part of the restructuring and evolution of Independent Living Movement Ireland as an active board member until 2020. Dermot also ran for local elections, both with the labour Party and as an independent.
Dermot embraced Zoom and online discussions during Covid. It often seemed that at each ILMI Zoom meeting over the years, members would be greeted with his up the banner rallying call, with meetings closing with a Slán comrades as he logged off. Such was Dermot’s commitment to collective action, it was not uncommon for him to log into an ILMI Zoom from hospital to participate in a debate or to add some much needed humour to difficult discussions.
An entire generation of disabled activists will fondly remember Dermot as someone who shared his time and expertise generously. He was a wonderful storyteller and was incredibly proud of his biography, The road that rises, which he self published in 2023. Dermot was active in human rights and equality campaigns locally and nationally and was a tireless presence in campaigns against injustice. A proud Clare man, he loved to talk about hurling and the GAA with all. Such was Dermot’s depth of passion and interest that he was active in organisations and campaigns spanning arts and culture, sport, youth work, anti poverty, globalisation, climate change and peace, and much more besides.
Those who knew Dermot well, and given the breadth of his work and his warm personality they would number thousands, will remember a man full of energy and passion. He lived by the mantra of rights not charity and nothing about us without us. He was dedicated and committed, served on numerous committees locally and nationally, and was never afraid to speak his mind.
He was also great fun to be around and had a mischievous sense of humour. He was a constant presence, in person and online, recognised by his trademark beret and quick wit. He was hugely supportive of others, and many ILMI members will remember receiving a short text or WhatsApp message congratulating them or commending them for speaking at an event. He was always keen to praise others, to lift people up and to encourage more disabled people to get involved, grow and build a movement that speaks truth to power.
Just over a month ago, Dermot’s lifetime commitment to human rights, equality and inclusion was recognised by his comrades in the Clare Leader Forum, in front of a packed room of friends in Ennis. A fitting moment to honour a life dedicated to collective action, solidarity and speaking truth to power.
In closing his biography, Dermot said that when the curtain falls on the last act he would be joined by his many, many friends from his decades as an activist and thorn in the side of authorities. With his usual sense of devilment, he added that many people would come to say farewell or good riddance. Those who knew him well would appreciate the joke, but all would agree that he will be deeply missed by everyone fortunate enough to have known him.
ILMI would like to express our deepest condolences to Dermot’s wife Marian, daughters Aimee and Marese, his extended family and his many, many friends and comrades.
Rest in power, Comrade.
When available, all the details of Dermot’s arrangements will be here : https://rip.ie/death-notice/dermot-hayes-clare-ennis-616832
IMAGE: black and white photo of our comrade Dermot. (Photo by John Owens)
