Mary Heenan, a prominent campaigner for victims of the Troubles, died on Monday in hospital. She was 99.

Heenan, from Inishmore Crescent in Andersonstown, Belfast, was the widow of Patrick Heenan, who was killed in a loyalist grenade attack in East Belfast in February 1973. Patrick Heenan died when a grenade was thrown into a minibus carrying Catholic workmen; he threw himself on the grenade, shielding others and taking the full force of the blast.

In 2015, Mary Heenan and her son Eugene issued a civil writ in London against the Ministry of Defence, supported by Relatives for Justice and Kevin Winters Law. The writ named Brigadier Frank Kitson, then a senior British Army officer, citing his alleged role in the killing. It was the first time a member of the British Army had been named in a civil action related to the Troubles.

Relatives for Justice described Heenan as "irrepressible" in a tribute. The group said she was a wife, mother, human rights defender, and a source of hope and courage.

Heenan's death notice describes her as the beloved wife of the late Patrick, and mother of Maire, Catherine, Deirdre, Eugene and Joe. She was also a grandmother and great-grandmother.

Funeral arrangements include reposing at her late home on Thursday and Friday, with Requiem Mass at St. Agnes' Church on Saturday at 1pm, followed by burial at Milltown Cemetery.