Image: HSEHer father said the thefts first began within a month of her death.
Thieves have stolen sentimental items from the grave of HPV vaccine activist Laura Brennan.
Items including memorial plaque and a stool are just some of the items that have been taken, according to her father, Larry Brennan.
The HPV vaccine advocate passed away in March 2019, after she contracted terminal cervical cancer in September 2017.
Before she died, she became known as a household name across Ireland for dedicating the remainder of her life to preventing unnecessary deaths from cervical cancer
Laura Brennan's father says the thefts started within a month of Laura's death in March 2019.
"The thing that upset us the most was the memorial plaque - a print of her memorial card which was enlarged and placed at the front of the grave. It was a special gift," he told Newstalk Breakfast.
"We had a stool taken, believe it or not," he said.
"We used to go up and sit beside the grave on a little stool. Bouquets of flowers [being taken] are common enough, her friends had left bouquets of flowers for her birthday and anniversary.
"And digging up plants took place in the first year as well."
He pleaded with the thieves to stop the spate of thefts, which include other people's grave sites also:
"A husband who has lost a wife, a wife who has lost a husband, other kids up there who have been buried. Parents and families have lost stuff unnecessarily," he stated.
Since Laura Brennan's death, her legacy has resulted in the uptake of the HPV vaccine rising from just over 50% to 80%, and in her home county of Clare it has shot up to 90%.
