23-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
'A hero' - Abuse survivor who spoke out on RTE show dies as tributes pour in
Tributes have been paid to a former politician from Co Tipperary who created one of the most powerful moments in Irish television history when he powerfully detailed his experiences of being abused as a child in a Catholic-run school.
Michael O'Brien passionately told his story on RTÉ's Questions and Answers programme in May 2009 following the publication of the Ryan report into clerical abuse.
As a child, he had spent eight years in St Joseph's Industrial School, also known as Ferryhouse, in Co Tipperary in the 1940s, where he was raped and severely beaten.
During the RTE programme, Mr O'Brien told then-Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey that the Government did not have "the foggiest" understanding of the pain felt by the victims.
Mr O'Brien asked the panel, which included former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, if the government should freeze assets of religious orders until money is paid for redress to people who were abused while in the care of those orders.
Mr 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
Mr O'Brien delivered a passionate response to Mr Dempsey as he told the panel about how he and his seven siblings were taken into care in the 1940s.
He recalled how the children were taken to a court and "left standing there, without food or anything" until a man in a "long black frock and white collar" came and took them away.
"Two nights later, I was raped," he said.
Referring to his wife, who was sitting beside him, O'Brien said: "That woman will tell you how many times I jumped out of the bed at night with the sweat pumping out of me, because I see these fellows at end of the bed ... pulling me into the room, to rape me."
O'Brien went on to reveal 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 discussed the effect that had on him.
"You had seven barristers there questioning me and telling me I was telling lies, when I told him that I got raped [on] a Saturday, got a merciful beating after it, and then [the rapist] came along the following morning and put Holy Communion in my mouth," he said.
Mr O'Brien said he tried to take his own life after spending five days at the commission.
O'Brien's impassioned outburst reverberated throughout the country and echoed the shock Ireland was feeling at the time as the extent of the abuses carried out by priests and cover-ups by bishops was brought to light.
Mr O'Brien, a former Fianna Fáil mayor of Clonmel in Co Tipperary, passed away on Tuesday "peacefully at his daughter Geraldine's residence," according to a death notice shared by his family on
He is predeceased by his wife Mary and sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his family Geraldine, Peter, Martin and Catriona, sister, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and his many friends.
Tributes have poured in for the former politician, with mourners saying that his moving testimony on RTE 'gave great comfort to many people who did not have a voice'.
"Rest in Peace Michael, What a courageous man you were. May you find peace, comfort and rest now. A hero of those without a voice. A true citizen of Ireland. We admired and respected you," one person said.
"Your testimony will stay with me until my last day. You helped so many. So brave. Rest in Peace Michael, and God bless," another added.
"Deepest sympathy to all the O'Brien family on your sad loss. Thanks Michael for what you did. You gave hope to alot of people and so brave to do it. Rest easy now," a third person said.
A fourth added: "My deepest condolences to Michael's family on the death of their beloved father. His bravery to speak out about his life experience gave great comfort to many people who did not have a voice. May he now experience all of that comfort whilst he rests in peace. Blessings"
While a fifth person said: "Though I did not know Michael, I was profoundly moved by his powerful and deeply personal testimony. His courage in speaking out — and in so doing, giving strength to so many others — is something that will endure for generations.
"Michael's voice cut through silence and shame with honesty and dignity. He not only spoke his own truth but empowered others to speak theirs. That kind of bravery leaves a lasting impact far beyond what words can fully express.
"Sincere sympathies to his family and friends. His legacy of truth, resilience, and compassion will continue to inspire all who witnessed it — including those of us who never met him, but were forever changed by his words. Suaimhneas síoraí."
Mr O'Brien will repose at Fennessy's Funeral Home from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesday evening, with removal on Thursday morning to St Mary's Church in Irishtown, where his funeral mass will be held followed by interment in St Patrick's Cemetery.
