Jackie Fox honoured with freedom of South Dublin County

THE Honorary Freedom of South Dublin County was conferred on Jackie Fox last Friday, in recognition of her work in getting the anti-bullying law, known as Coco’s Law, enacted.

Jackie, who is originally from Old Bawn in Tallaght, was motivated to push for Coco’s Law to be enacted after her daughter Nicole ‘Coco’ Fox died by suicide on January 20, 2018, aged 21.

Nicole, who was raised in Clondalkin, endured relentless bullying both online and in person in the three years preceding her death.

Since then, Jackie has given talks in schools all over the country about suicide awareness and the impact of bullying, while campaigning for anti-bullying legislation to be enshrined in law in Nicole’s memory.

Coco’s Law was finally enacted in December 2020, and in December of last year South Dublin County councillors voted in favour of awarding the Honorary Freedom of the County to Jackie.

The Honorary Freedom of the County is the highest civic honour that can be bestowed upon an individual by South Dublin County Council.

The honour is reserved for those who have made exceptional or unique contributions to the common good or to persons who have made outstanding contributions to South Dublin County.

Jackie Fox in County Hall with Mayor Peter Kavanagh, family members and councillors

The ceremony for Jackie to be conferred with the Freedom of the County was held in the council chamber last Friday, May 6, where she received the honour from Mayor Peter Kavanagh.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Kavanagh said: “Jackie suffered the worst loss imaginable. No parent, in their worst nightmares, can imagine the heartache and emptiness that comes from losing a child.

“Jackie’s daughter Nicole was taken from her doting mother through the vile and terrible actions of her peers. When Nicole lost her life, Jackie was devastated.

“Her baby, her Coco, taken away.

“It would have been the most natural thing in the world for Jackie to retreat into herself, to give up.

“Parents devastated by such a loss can become shadows of their former selves, and those who love them understand why, even as we offer all the support we can.

“Laws don’t get written overnight, and Jackie had a long road to travel between 2018 and 2020. “A long road of living through the heartbreak over and over to tell her story.

“She never wavered.

“She never faltered.

“In the midst of pain, sadness and unbearable anguish, not once did Jackie Fox say ‘enough’.

“She knew that her work would save lives, and she never let up.

“When President Michael D Higgins signed Coco’s Law into effect on December 28, 2020, it didn’t mark the end of Jackie’s campaign.

“To this day, Jackie shares her story with students and parents to ensure that everyone understands how important this law is, and how vital it is that we protect our young people.

“Tonight, we remember the beautiful and talented Nicole Fox Fenlon, the wonderful Coco, for the amazing young woman she was.

“And we honour Jackie Fox: mother, crusader, champion and lifesaver.”

In a previous interview with The Echo, Jackie explained how Nicole’s death had changed her, and she shared her pride at Nicole’s lasting legacy.

“I was never one for getting into photographs or speaking in front of people, so I always say Nicole was there to push me on and I always say she pushed me to do it,” Jackie said.

“I’m so proud of Nicole having her legacy – her name is in the Irish statute books – but it will always be bittersweet because we don’t have her here.

“We don’t get to see her smile or laugh, or hug her or talk to her again.

“But I’m proud that I didn’t give up, and that Nicole will never be forgotten.”