Abuse survivor and former mayor of Clonmel Michael O'Brien dies
Mr O'Brien died on Tuesday at his daughter Geraldine's home.
Mr O'Brien became known nationally in 2009 following an appearance on RTÉ's 'Questions and Answers' in the wake of the publication of the Ryan report into clerical abuse.
There, he described, in graphic detail, the abuse he faced as a child at a Catholic-run industrial school, shocking the country.
He was particularly scathing of then transport minister Noel Dempsey about the way the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse had treated survivors of the industrial schools, pointing out that the allegedly non-adversarial process had involved him being accused of lying. He said:
I got raped of a Saturday, got an unmerciful beating after it, and he then came along the following morning and put Holy Communion in my mouth.
"You don't know what happened there.'
During the speech, he also addressed panel member Leo Varadkar, saying: "Can I speak to you and ask your leader to stop making a political football out of this. You hurt us when you do that. You tear the shreds from inside our body. For God's sake, try and give us some peace, try and give us some peace, and not continue hurting us."
Mr O'Brien's remains will repose at Fennessy's Funeral Home this Wednesday evening from 5pm to 7pm with removal on Thursday morning to St Mary's Church, Irishtown, at 10am.
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The Irish Sun
12 minutes ago
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Irish Independent
29 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
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Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Hundreds greet Kneecap rapper as he arrives at court on terror charge
Hundreds of Kneecap supporters waving flags and holding banners have greeted one of the rap trio's members as he arrived at court for allegedly supporting a proscribed terror organisation. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in November last year. Demonstrations in support of the rapper were organised outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in London where he arrived on Wednesday, as well as in Dublin. The Metropolitan Police has imposed conditions limiting where the demonstration outside the court can take place, saying they are needed to 'prevent serious disruption'. Supporters of Kneecap's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh outside Westminster Magistrates' Court, London, where he is charged with a terrorism offence. Picture: Ben Whitley/PA Wire Mr Ó hAnnaidh was swamped by photographers as he arrived, with security officers taking more than a minute to usher him into the court building. Hundreds of supporters greeted the Kneecap rapper with cheers as he made his way from a silver people-carrier to the building. Fans held signs which read 'Free Mo Chara' while others waved Palestine and Irish flags before the rapper's arrival at court. Supporters await the arrival of Kneecap's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh outside Westminster Magistrates' Court, London, where he is charged with a terrorism offence. Picture: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire Chants of 'free, free, Mo Chara' could also be heard over a megaphone, which was repeated by the crowd. In response to the Met imposing conditions on the protest, Kneecap described this move as a 'calculated political decision' that was 'designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome', and 'asked supporters to go out of your way to be compliant with all instructions issued, irrespective of how pitiful'. Mr Ó hAnnaidh received a rockstar welcome when he appeared at the same court in June, supported by fellow bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh. Kneecap's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (centre blue cap) arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court, London, where he is charged with a terrorism offence. Picture: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire He was greeted by a festival-like atmosphere for his first court appearance, with dozens of fans waving flags, playing drums and one supporter setting off a smoke canister. The court previously heard the 27-year-old defendant is 'well within his rights' to voice his opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict, but the alleged incident at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, was a 'wholly different thing'. Mr Ó hAnnaidh is yet to enter a plea to the charge.
