Michael O'Brien, abuse survivor and former mayor of Clonmel, dies aged 92
MunsterAtheist
/ YouTube
MICHAEL O'BRIEN, A survivor of child sexual abuse who famously tackled the government during a televised debate in 2009, has died.
He passed away peacefully at his daughter Geraldine's home yesterday at the age of 92.
Michael O'Brien, who previously served as Lord Mayor of Clonmel in 1993, was a member of a live studio audience for RTÉ's Questions and Answers programme in 2009.
As a child he had spent eight years in St Joseph's Industrial School, also known as Ferryhouse, in Co Tipperary where he was raped and severely beaten.
He spoke out following the publication of the Ryan report, which had examined child sexual abuse in Church-led institutions.
The report came a decade after the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse was commissioned by the government in 1999.
Addressing then-Minister for Transport and Fianna Fáil TD Noel Dempsey, O'Brien detailed his own experiences with the commission, which was published a week before the broadcast.
Advertisement
O'Brien asked Dempsey if the government would freeze the assets of religious institutions if they didn't pay more into the Redress Board Fund, which had been a topical issue at the time.
Dempsey replied that 'it's not a power that the government has'.
'The constitution protects the right to private property,' he said, adding that it wasn't an option for them.
In a passionate response to Dempsey, O'Brien told the panel that his account of being raped and beaten had been questioned at the commission of investigation into institutional child abuse by the barristers and judges, and the effect that had on him.
He said that he had attempted to take his own life after spending five days at the commission.
'They brought a man over from Rome, 90 odd years of age, to tell me I was telling lies, that I wasn't beaten for an hour non-stop by two of them from head to toe without a shred of cloth on my body,' O'Brien told Dempsey.
Shortly after he spoke out, presenter John Bowman said that his speech was the most memorable moment of the show in 23 years.
Speaking on an RTÉ documentary filmed years after the programme, O'Brien said that he had 'no idea' what he was going to say until he saw the minister.
"And I knew then now or never...", Michael O'Brien explains why he spoke out on Questions & Answers in 2009.
#Redress
- Breaking the Silence, part 2, tonight, 9.35pm
pic.twitter.com/HcFw3EcOIT
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne)
March 3, 2020
But he knew that after Dempsey's answer, that it was 'now or never'.
O'Brien is predeceased by his wife Mary. His funeral will take place tomorrow morning at St. Mary's Church in Clonmel.
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


RTÉ News
5 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Dublin silversmith 'overwhelmed' by support after robbery
A silversmith who had most of his products stolen in a burglary at his Dublin workshop in April has said he was "overwhelmed" by the support he received. Séamus Gill, who is one of Ireland's most distinguished contemporary silversmiths, said that around 40 years of work had been put into some of the pieces taken, many of which were originals. Speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said that while the theft had left him "devastated and depressed", he received a lot of public support while he was at a very low ebb. "At that stage a lot of the people in the tutoring craft community knew about it and were in contact," he said. "An awful lot of it was people who have my work going back over the last 40 years or so and with handmade jewellery, you get attached to a piece. "But what I didn't realise was how strong the link was to the person who created the piece, and it was lovely. "That overwhelming amount of support that came from so many people, especially through Instagram. And I still haven't got back to everyone yet." Mr Gill said he has tidied up his studio and has returned to making pieces again. "There's something very basic about when you're making work that it's very therapeutic. You're totally focused, yet you're lost in the flow. There's something very natural about creating," he said. "So when I got back into making, I took a small piece of silver sheet that was left behind and I started using that just to start making and working on that. "It developed a small little sculptural pendant and I called it Lasóg - las being the Irish for light or flame and óg being the young or little. "I just thought Lasóg was just a lovely word for it like this." Mr Gill said Stonechat Jewellers in the Westbury Mall have put the pendant on sale and will sell it commission free to help him get back on his feet and get the business going again. The robbery at his studio is still under investigation and none of the missing pieces have yet been returned.


RTÉ News
7 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Violence in Ballymena and Larne in third night of disorder in NI
Clip • 5 Mins • 12 JUN • Morning Ireland Conor Macauley, RTÉ Northern Correspondent, reports on the violence in Larne, Co. Antrim last night, after a local leisure centre was set on fire.


Irish Independent
9 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Cork teen put off road for two years after speeding at 160 km/h in 100 zone – months after passing test
Matthew O'Brien, 19, with an address at Mount House, Patrick's Hill, Cork, was caught driving 60 km/h over the speed limit at a speed checkpoint on the N20 outside of Mallow. Arresting officer Deirdre Barrett, from Mallow Garda Station told Mallow District Court that she had detected a blue BMW 1 series, that had its right indicator on but wasn't overtaking and was speeding on a road that had a wet surface following an earlier shower. When pulled over, Mr O'Brien, who had 'novice' plates in his car, told Gardaí that he didn't realise he was speeding, and was seeing friends to get food. 'He had forgotten everything he had learned previously,' commented Judge Colm Roberts. Defence solicitor David O'Meara told the court that Mr O'Brien had been diagnosed with cancer in his right knee a few weeks previous, and 'was in a very dark and worried place' at the time of the incident. 'He's still on crutches, and is in the middle of his Leaving Cert,' Mr O'Meara told the court, and said that Mr O'Brien would complete an advanced driving training. 'Advanced Driving Training is for people who may, over a period of time, get into bad habits, not for those who have just finished their test,' Mr Roberts told the court. 'I have to disqualify him.' Judge Colm Roberts said that he would hand out an automatic two-year qualification to Mr O'Brien, but Mr O'Meara asked the judge to consider a delay in the disqualification to give the teenager an opportunity to prove his good behaviour. However, Judge Roberts said that the immediate disqualification was in Mr O'Meara's client's benefit. 'If he learns a good lesson now, he'll be safe for the rest of his life. For his safety and the safety of others on the road he needs to be disqualified,' said Judge Roberts. 'He's only 19,' said Mr O'Meara to the Judge. ADVERTISEMENT 'If he's only 19 and he hits someone, it's zero, they never live again,' said the Judge. 'I wish you all the best with your Leaving Cert but news like that should make him more careful. 'He wanted to see his friends as quickly as possible, and he was enjoying the speed. And unfortunately like a lot of people his age he believes he cannot be touched.' In imposing the two-year driving ban, Judge Roberts told Mr O'Meara, 'I wouldn't be giving your client any favours by postponing. This is the time to take the disqualification so time can start ticking as soon as possible. 'I wish him the best in his Leaving Cert, his recovery, and I urge you to learn your lesson as soon as you can,' said Judge Roberts to Matthew O'Brien.