Dr Margaret O'Regan-Deane who died in Thailand on April 15th aged 48, has been described in her native Cork as a pioneer.
In recent years noted for her care and counselling of transsexual patients, Margaret O'Regan-Deane was also distinguished by making her passion for motor-cycling an aspect of her daily life as a general practitioner. The contrast between her flowing blonde hair and her black leather biking gear was always a dramatic marker of her presence.
The only child of John and Eileen O'Regan she graduated from University College Cork's medical school in 1977 and set up her own practice on the Douglas Road in Cork. Her graduation celebrations were crowned by the acquisition of a BMW 750cc superbike.
Later, she and her husband Andrew Deane became founder members of the Goldwing Motor Cycle Club in Ireland. Her medical training however was always an element in her approach to life and she was spokesperson for the Motor-Cycle Action Group, which campaigns for improvements in the training of bikers Her excellent professional relationship with the Garda Siochana led to a weekend in Templemore learning the police way to ride motorbikes. Later, gardai helped with the establishment of a pilot training scheme based on gold, silver and bronze classifications in line with international standards.
A dedicated doctor, she was generous in deed as well as in theory and willing to assist all those she found in need, even to the extent of giving shelter under her own roof.
She was especially helpful to the Cork Rape Crisis Centre, working to improve facilities for victims and always ready to provide not merely forensic reports but 24-hour-a-day availability and follow-up counselling. Her evidence in court was noted for its clarity. Her association with the centre lasted for more than 15 years.
Incorporating clinical hypnosis in her practice, her approach to medicine was "holistic" before that became a popular term. Gradually she became known as the only doctor in Cork who dealt with cases of gender alignment which involves complex medical problems with issues of psychological adjustment.
She defined transsexualism as a condition which involves fundamental aspects of human identity. The gender identity disorder means a person is trapped in a sex opposite to his/her physiological appearance. Margaret O'ReganDeane's multi-disciplinary approach was informed by her view that transsexuality is not something that can be ignored or suppressed. Yet social oppression, culturally indoctrinated shame, self-loathing and bigotry can mean that up to 50 per cent of untreated transsexuals commit suicide or suffer from self-mutilation.
Although necessary medication for those seeking treatment is funded under the medical card scheme, gender-realignment surgery is not available in the Republic. It was of particular concern to Margaret O'Regan-Deane that only two health boards in the State fund the necessary procedures abroad for Irish people, although no fewer than 22 prospective candidates were among her patients.
Always compassionate and combative in spirit, and committed to the ideals of justice and equal rights, she criticised the fact that Ireland and Britain are the only two countries not to accept the EU resolution calling on all member states to recognise the rights of transsexuals to sex-change operations - and this at a time when suicide rates in Ireland are a major cause of anxiety.
Her irrepressible personality, her preference for making house-calls on her motorbike - her two children were carried for years in the side-car - and her tolerance of medically unfashionable or even contentious ideas, distinguished Margaret O'Regan-Deane as a woman of immense self-belief.
Many of those who worked with her have described her as "a warrior", who strove always, and only, for the greater good.
Dr Margaret O'Regan-Deane is survived by her husband Andrew; children Richard and Margreta; and by her mother and father.
Dr Margaret O'Regan-Deane: born 1951; died April, 2000