Lawyer for late sister of murdered Irene White vows to continue fight for justice after she loses cancer battle
A LAWYER for the sister of murdered Irene White has vowed to continue the fight for justice after she lost her battle with cancer.
Renowned human rights lawyer Kevin Winters paid tribute to brave Anne Delcassian after she died on Friday night.
The campaigning Co Louth woman passed away after being told by doctors that she had just weeks to live as she battled terminal cancer.
Anne led the fight for justice for her tragic sister Irene, who was stabbed 34 times in her Dundalk, Co Louth, home in 2005.
Murderers Anthony Lambe, 47, and Niall Power, 35, were both jailed for life for their roles in the mum-of-three’s murder, but gardai believe the evil mastermind behind it is still at large.
Reacting to the sad news of her death, Winters told how he promised Anne he would continue to fight for Irene in her absence.
'PRIVILEGE REPRESENTING ANNE'
He last night told the Irish Sun: “I had the privilege of representing Anne in her legal battle to get justice for her sister Irene, who was killed in 2005.
“Without her tenacity, the murder prosecution of two people wouldn’t have happened.
“It was humbling for me to see her six weeks ago for the last time in a camper-van bed parked in Castle Street — she was far too ill to make it into my office and could barely speak, but she was still able to convey a determined message.”
Winters revealed how Anne wanted him to campaign to have gardai pursue all of those involved in her sister’s murder.
He said: “I promised her I would. She passed away surrounded by loved ones at her home.”
It is understood her remains will be flown back from the UK for her funeral service.
'KEEP FIGHTING TO GET THAT JUSTICE'
Speaking to the Irish Sun last month, Anne told how the quest for justice for her sister had taken it’s toll on her health, but vowed to continue.
She admitted: “This fight for justice has consumed me.
“Since being diagnosed with terminal cancer, I’ve undergone multiple rounds of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy to try and keep fighting long enough to get that justice.
“We have been told there are no conventional treatment options left, and the doctors say I have weeks left to live.
“I’m determined to keep fighting for as long as I can.”
She continued: “I’m filled with sorrow and anguish that I may not live to see all those responsible held accountable for their actions.
“I hope I have the strength to keep fighting and live long enough to see them brought to justice for their heinous crimes.
“I know that if I lose my battle with cancer before then, my family will never stop fighting to achieve my last wish.”
And Winters also spoke of Anne’s persistence — which drove the issuing of High Court civil proceedings against a third person in relation to a separate financial matter.
We previously revealed that Anne launched legal proceedings against Irene’s husband Alan White. It is understood the case was taken in relation to a financial matter from a number of years ago.
Winters told the Irish Sun last month: “I can confirm a Plenary Summons was issued at the High Court last Friday.
“I am making no further comment as these are matters of the utmost sensitivity. One has to be respectful of all parties’ entitlement to due process.”
HORROR MURDER
Mum-of-three Irene was butchered at Ice House, her home on the Demesne Road, in Dundalk on April 6, 2005.
Businessman Niall Power, 47, who helped plan the slaying, pleaded guilty last month to murder and was caged for life.
He came forward after Anthony Lambe, 35, was convicted of murder in January 2018 after admitting he stabbed the mum 34 times.
Shortly after his arrest, Lambe told a detective how close he came to a confession when he was first interviewed as a witness to the murder in 2005. Lambe, who was quizzed as a witness because he was working for Power at the time of the killing, told the investigator: “When you were talking to me in 2005 you don’t know how close I came to telling the truth.”
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However, the case is still being built against the prime mover who wanted Irene dead.
A source previously told the Irish Sun: “This man still lives in Dundalk. Gardai know who he is, Irene’s family know who he is. They’ve been waiting a long time for justice and Irene’s sister Anne is in poor health.
“But the law is coming for this individual. We have had two convictions already and those leading the investigation are not going to give up until the main figure behind it joins them in jail.”