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Irish Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
The hurt that dripped from Michael O'Brien and others has to be part of Pope Francis's legacy
Born a few years before Pope Francis , Michael O'Brien, who also died this week , will be remembered for his appearance on RTÉ 's Questions and Answers current affairs programme in May 2009. As an audience member, he spoke powerfully and agonisingly of the physical and sexual abuse he experienced in Ferryhouse industrial school near Clonmel, Co Tipperary, run by the Rosminians. The hurt dripped from him as his testimony detailed a family torn apart, a childhood ruined and a life haunted by nightmares. One of 13 children, after O'Brien's mother died in 1942 he was taken by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children 'on a scut truck' to court in Clonmel. The siblings were sent to different institutions and 'there was nothing my father could do'. Two nights after he arrived in Ferryhouse, he was raped. 'Our only crime against the State was that we were poor and had no mother,' he recalled. Although O'Brien met his wife Mary when he was aged 18, he did not tell her about the abuse until 1999. He also spoke of a suicide attempt after spending five days at the Ryan Commission inquiry into child abuse, a stark reminder of the renewed trauma that reliving these experiences could spark. As an elected politician and Fianna Fáil mayor of Clonmel from 1993-1994, O'Brien's was an unusual victim's voice, but his demand was a consistent one from many victims: 'the government and the religious orders must not do anything now without consulting us'. READ MORE Amid the tributes paid to the late pope, it is fitting that O'Brien is remembered generously too. The personal experience he outlined was part of the reason Pope Francis's visit to Ireland in 2018 was so different from the previous Irish papal visit in 1979. Thousands turned out for a 'Stand 4 Truth' protest in the Garden of Remembrance in 2018 to coincide with the pope's Phoenix Park Mass. [ 'I couldn't believe the bravery': Abuse survivors pay tribute to Michael O'Brien and his 'powerful' RTÉ testimony on child sex abuse Opens in new window ] When speaking at the outset of the papal visit, then-taoiseach Leo Varadkar eschewed the fawning tone of 1979 while Francis looked on. Varadkar referred to 'failures of both church and State, and wider society' that 'created a bitter and broken heritage for so many, leaving a legacy of pain and suffering. It is a history of sorrow and shame ... stains on our State, our society and also the Catholic church.' The warm glow around the Francis obsequies this week should not obliterate those stains or the enduring relevance of O'Brien's experiences and the trauma abuse victims continue to endure. Varadkar insisted in 2018 there was still 'much to be done to bring about justice and truth and healing for victims and survivors ... We must now ensure that from words flow actions.' That speech remains relevant for Ireland and the Vatican. O'Brien's insistence in 2009 that victims be made central has hardly been honoured to anything like the extent required. Shortly before the death of Francis, for example, the report compiled by Sheila Nunan, the independent negotiator appointed by government to liaise with religious organisations over financial redress, revealed that only two of eight religious bodies linked to mother and baby homes have offered to contribute to a survivor redress scheme. [ Pope in Ireland: Francis speaks of Church's failure to tackle clerical abuse 'scandal' Opens in new window ] What went on in Ferryhouse was known before O'Brien bared his trauma. In 1990, the Rosminian provincial Fr James Flynn was unambiguous: 'The greatest guilt has to be borne by those of us who utilised or condoned or ignored the extreme severity, even brutality which characterised at times the regime at Ferryhouse.' Yet even a quarter of a century later during the pontificate of Francis, and after an avalanche of evidence of abuse, the Vatican prized its power over its responsibilities and culpability. True, Francis met victims, listened to them, and appealed for forgiveness. He summoned bishops to tell them survivors deserved 'concrete and efficient measures'. But the self-serving bureaucracy was still allowed to choke transparency. Marie Collins, a victim of clerical sex abuse in Ireland in 1960, and appointed a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors established by Francis in 2014, resigned in 2017 over what she regarded as a 'shameful' lack of co-operation. The commission was incorporated into the Roman Curia, the Holy See's all-too-powerful government. In 2022, Francis was still pleading for a 'reliable account on what is presently being done and what needs to change' in relation to child abuse and its survivors. O'Brien railed against the non-disclosure agreements victims were faced with as part of the redress process and decried the indemnities given to religious orders in return for patently inadequate contributions. Ultimately, what he was looking for was reflected in the name of the group he chaired: 'Right to Peace'. That finding such peace was made so difficult for so many should also be recorded as part of the legacy of Francis's pontificate.
Sunday World
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Clerical abuse survivor Michael O'Brien gave ‘voice to the voiceless'
Mr O'Brien of Oliver Plunkett Terrace in Clonmel, Co Tipperary died on Tuesday at his daughter Geraldine's residence Abuse survivor and former Mayor of Clonmel, Michael O'Brien, gave 'a voice to the voiceless' and lived a life rich in service to others, his requiem mass has heard. Mr O'Brien of Oliver Plunkett Terrace in Clonmel, Co Tipperary died on Tuesday at his daughter Geraldine's residence. The 92 year old was predeceased in 2022 by his wife Mary. His granddaughter Jeanette Kelly told mourners at St Mary's Church in Irishtown that Michael had made a impact on the nation 'in a matter of minutes' in 2009 when he spoke on RTE about the abuse he had suffered at an industrial school. 'Those powerful words (on RTE's Questions and Answers) made a difference. As they get repeated on the airwaves over the last few days they still ring true. Looking over the condolences it is amazing how many lives he touched and how he gave a voice to those suffering and created hope. It is a powerful reminder that one voice can change everything.' Jeanette, who was joined on the altar by her sister Sharon who read a poem, said that her grandfather was very much a family man. Read more Tributes paid to clerical abuse survivor Michael O'Brien who dies aged 92 She stated that her grandparents, Michael and Mary, loved to dance and were ballroom dancing champions. 'At all our weddings they hit the dance floor. Now they would really show you what Dancing with the Stars was like. They would glide across any dance floor a. I have no doubt that any judge would have given them the perfect ten. As kids we loved standing on his feet trying to dance as good as they were around the sitting room.' Jeanette said that Tramore in Co Waterford was a 'slice of heaven' for her grandparents. 'Their mobile (home). A home away from home where everybody was welcome. Dinners on a Sunday were his speciality. Always the chef he would serve up three delicious courses and to this day he still never gave us the secret of his mash. I personally think it was the two pounds of butter he used in it ! The love of his life was (his wife) Mary. Together for a lifetime until she passed in 2022. In his final days he would ask us 'will she be waiting for me?' I'd like to think there is a mobile home up in the sky where it is always sunny because they were both sun worshippers. And they are back together reunited and happy.' Meanwhile, Fr Billy Meehan, chief celebrant at the 10am mass, said Michael was above all else 'a community person.' 'He served as Mayor of Clonmel and during that time he served it with distinction. During his lifetime he served in the O.N.E and he did two stretches out in the Congo. That was part of his service to the country. And we all remember the night on 'Questions and Answers' when he told the story of his own life and the impact it had made. From that he got a national profile. When you stroll down through the condolences you can see that people from all over the country were influenced by his presence that night and by the hope he gave to people. He was speaking out for people who had no voice. That was the great legacy that Michael left.' Offertory gifts included his People of the Year award, a golf club, a photo of his time as Mayor of Clonmel, the artwork of his great grandchildren, a newspaper, a candle bearing the image of his 'beloved' wife Mary and a packet of toffees. President Michael D Higgins was represented at the mass by his aide de camp Captain Pat Fitzgerald. Mr O'Brien is survived by his children Geraldine, Peter, Martin and Catriona, his sister, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and his many friends. He was laid to rest at St Patrick's Cemetery. As a child Mr O'Brien spent eight years in St Joseph's Industrial School in Clonmel in Co Tipperary where he was raped and severely beaten. He spoke out following the publication of the Report of the Commission to Inquire in to Child Abuse in 2009. On Questions and Answers he told then Government Minister and Fianna Fáil TD Noel Dempsey, that he had attempted to end his own life after spending five days being questioned at the Commission. Mr O'Brien said that his account of being raped and beaten had been questioned at the Commission. 'They brought a man over from Rome, ninety 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.' He asked panel member Leo Varadkar to ask his 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. Four God's sake, try and give us some peace and not continue hurting us.' Broadcaster John Bowman, who presented the show, said Mr O'Brien's words had 'a greater impact than any other contribution from the audience in the history of the programme.'
Irish Examiner
24-04-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Abuse survivor and former Clonmel mayor Michael O'Brien gave 'a voice to the voiceless'
Abuse survivor and former Mayor of Clonmel Michael O'Brien gave 'a voice to the voiceless' and lived a life rich in service to others, his funeral has heard. Mr O'Brien of Oliver Plunkett Terrace in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, died on Tuesday at his daughter Geraldine's residence. The 92-year-old was predeceased in 2022 by his wife, Mary. His granddaughter Jeanette Kelly told mourners at St Mary's Church in Irishtown that Mr O'Brien had made an impact on the nation 'in a matter of minutes' in 2009 when he spoke on RTÉ about the abuse he had suffered at an industrial school. 'Those powerful words [on RTÉ's Questions and Answers] made a difference. As they get repeated on the airwaves over the last few days they still ring true. "Looking over the condolences, it is amazing how many lives he touched and how he gave a voice to those suffering and created hope. It is a powerful reminder that one voice can change everything.' Jeanette, who was joined on the altar by her sister Sharon — who read a poem — said that her grandfather was very much a family man. She stated that her grandparents, Michael and Mary, loved to dance and were ballroom dancing champions. 'At all our weddings they hit the dance floor. Now they would really show you what Dancing with the Stars was like. They would glide across any dance floor. I have no doubt that any judge would have given them the perfect 10. As kids, we loved standing on his feet trying to dance as good as they were around the sitting room.' Jeanette said that Tramore in Co Waterford was a 'slice of heaven' for her grandparents. 'Their mobile [home]. A home away from home where everybody was welcome. Dinners on a Sunday were his speciality. Always the chef he would serve up three delicious courses and to this day he still never gave us the secret of his mash. I personally think it was the two pounds of butter he used in it. "The love of his life was Mary. Together for a lifetime until she passed in 2022. In his final days, he would ask us 'will she be waiting for me?'. I'd like to think there is a mobile home up in the sky where it is always sunny because they were both sun worshippers. And they are back together reunited and happy.' Michael O'Brien. Picture: RIP Meanwhile, chief celebrant Fr Billy Meehan said Mr O'Brien was above all else "a community person." "He served as Mayor of Clonmel and during that time he served it with distinction. During his lifetime he served in the ONE [Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel] and he did two stretches out in the Congo. That was part of his service to the country. "And we all remember the night on Questions and Answers when he told the story of his own life and the impact it had made. From that he got a national profile. When you stroll down through the condolences, you can see that people from all over the country were influenced by his presence that night and by the hope he gave to people. "He was speaking out for people who had no voice. That was the great legacy that Michael left.' Offertory gifts included his People of the Year award, a golf club, a photo of his time as Mayor of Clonmel, the artwork of his great grandchildren, a newspaper, a candle bearing the image of his "beloved" wife Mary and a packet of toffees. President Michael D Higgins was represented at the mass by his aide de camp, Captain Pat Fitzgerald. Mr O'Brien is survived by his children Geraldine, Peter, Martin and Catriona, his sister, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and his many friends. He was laid to rest at St Patrick's Cemetery. As a child, Mr O'Brien spent eight years in St Joseph's Industrial School in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, where he was raped and severely beaten. He spoke out following the publication of the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse in 2009. On Questions and Answers, he told then Government minister and Fianna Fáil TD Noel Dempsey, that he had attempted to end his own life after spending five days being questioned at the commission. Mr O'Brien said that his account of being raped and beaten had been questioned 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.' He asked panel member Leo Varadkar to ask his 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 and not continue hurting us.' Broadcaster John Bowman, who presented the show, said Mr O'Brien's words had 'a greater impact than any other contribution from the audience in the history of the programme'.
BreakingNews.ie
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Clerical abuse survivor Michael O'Brien gave 'a voice to the voiceless', funeral hears
Abuse survivor and former Mayor of Clonmel, Michael O'Brien, gave 'a voice to the voiceless' and lived a life rich in service to others, his requiem mass has heard. Mr O'Brien of Oliver Plunkett Terrace in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, died on Tuesday at his daughter Geraldine's residence. Advertisement The 92-year-old was predeceased in 2022 by his wife, Mary. His granddaughter Jeanette Kelly told mourners at St Mary's Church in Irishtown that Michael had made an impact on the nation 'in a matter of minutes' in 2009 when he spoke on RTÉ about the abuse he had suffered at an industrial school. 'Those powerful words (on RTE's Questions and Answers) made a difference. As they get repeated on the airwaves over the last few days, they still ring true," she said. "Looking over the condolences, it is amazing how many lives he touched and how he gave a voice to those suffering and created hope. It is a powerful reminder that one voice can change everything.' Advertisement Jeanette, who was joined on the altar by her sister Sharon, who read a poem, said that her grandfather was very much a family man. She stated that her grandparents, Michael and Mary, loved to dance and were ballroom dancing champions. 'At all our weddings, they hit the dance floor. Now they would really show you what Dancing with the Stars was like. They would glide across any dance floor. I have no doubt that any judge would have given them the perfect ten. As kids, we loved standing on his feet trying to dance as good as they were around the sitting room.' Jeanette said that Tramore in Co Waterford was a 'slice of heaven' for her grandparents. Advertisement 'Their mobile (home). A home away from home where everybody was welcome. Dinners on a Sunday were his speciality. "The love of his life was (his wife) Mary, together for a lifetime until she passed in 2022. In his final days, he would ask us, 'Will she be waiting for me?' I'd like to think there is a mobile home up in the sky where it is always sunny because they were both sun worshippers. And they are back together, reunited and happy.' Meanwhile, Fr Billy Meehan, chief celebrant at the 10am mass, said Michael was above all else 'a community person.' 'He served as Mayor of Clonmel, and during that time, he served it with distinction. During his lifetime, he served in the O.N.E. and he did two stretches out in the Congo. That was part of his service to the country," Fr Meehan said. Advertisement "We all remember the night on 'Questions and Answers' when he told the story of his own life and the impact it had made. From that, he got a national profile. "When you stroll down through the condolences, you can see that people from all over the country were influenced by his presence that night and by the hope he gave to people. He was speaking out for people who had no voice. That was the great legacy that Michael left.' Offertory gifts included his People of the Year award, a golf club, a photo of his time as Mayor of Clonmel, the artwork of his great-grandchildren, a newspaper, a candle bearing the image of his 'beloved' wife Mary, and a packet of toffees. President Michael D Higgins was represented at the mass by his aide de camp, Captain Pat Fitzgerald. Advertisement Mr O'Brien is survived by his children Geraldine, Peter, Martin and Catriona, his sister, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and his many friends. He was laid to rest at St Patrick's Cemetery. As a child Mr O'Brien spent eight years in St Joseph's Industrial School in Clonmel in Co Tipperary where he was raped and severely beaten. He spoke out following the publication of the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse in 2009. On Questions and Answers, he told then-Government Minister and Fianna Fáil TD Noel Dempsey that he had attempted to end his own life after spending five days being questioned at the Commission. Mr O'Brien said that his account of being raped and beaten had been questioned at the Commission. 'They brought a man over from Rome, ninety 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.' He asked panel member Leo Varadkar to ask his 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 and not continue hurting us.' Broadcaster John Bowman, who presented the show, said Mr O'Brien's words had 'a greater impact than any other contribution from the audience in the history of the programme.' If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at or visit Rape Crisis Help .
Irish Times
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Michael O'Brien ‘gave a voice to those suffering and created hope', funeral hears
Abuse survivor and former mayor of Clonmel Michael O'Brien gave 'a voice to the voiceless' and lived a life rich in service to others, his requiem Mass has heard. Mr O'Brien of Oliver Plunkett Terrace in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, died on Tuesday at his daughter Geraldine's residence. The 92-year-old was predeceased in 2022 by his wife Mary. His granddaughter, Jeanette Kelly, told mourners at St Mary's Church in Irishtown, Co Tipperary, that Michael had made an impact on the nation 'in a matter of minutes' in 2009 when he spoke on RTÉ about the abuse he had suffered at an industrial school. READ MORE Family members console each other after Michael O'Brien's requiem Mass in St Mary's Church, Irishtown, Clonmel, Co Tipperary. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin 'Those powerful words [on RTÉ's Questions and Answers] made a difference. As they get repeated on the airwaves over the last few days they still ring true. 'Looking over the condolences it is amazing how many lives he touched and how he gave a voice to those suffering and created hope. It is a powerful reminder that one voice can change everything.' Jeanette, who was joined on the altar by her sister Sharon, who read a poem, said her grandfather was very much a family man. She said her grandparents, Michael and Mary, loved to dance and were ballroom dancing champions. 'At all our weddings they hit the dance floor. Now they would really show you what Dancing with the Stars was like. They would glide across any dance floor. I have no doubt that any judge would have given them the perfect 10. As kids we loved standing on his feet trying to dance as good as they were around the sittingroom.' Former Defence Forces colleagues form a guard of honour before Michael O'Brien's requiem Mass on Thursday at St. Mary's Church, Irishtown, Clonmel, Co Tipperary. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin. Jeanette said Tramore in Co Waterford was a 'slice of heaven' for her grandparents. 'Their mobile was a home away from home where everybody was welcome. Dinners on a Sunday were his speciality. Always the chef, he would serve up three delicious courses and to this day he still never gave us the secret of his mash. I personally think it was the two pounds of butter he used in it. [ 'I couldn't believe the bravery': Abuse survivors pay tribute to Michael O'Brien and his 'powerful' RTÉ testimony on child sex abuse Opens in new window ] 'The love of his life was Mary. Together for a lifetime until she passed in 2022. In his final days he would ask us 'will she be waiting for me?' 'I'd like to think there is a mobile home up in the sky where it is always sunny because they were both sun worshippers. And they are back together reunited and happy.' Fr Billy Meehan, chief celebrant at the 10am Mass, said Michael was above all else 'a community person'. 'He served as mayor of Clonmel and during that time he served it with distinction. During his lifetime he served in the army and he did two stretches out in the Congo. That was part of his service to the country. 'And we all remember the night on Questions and Answers when he told the story of his own life and the impact it had made. From that he got a national profile. 'When you scroll down through the condolences you can see that people from all over the country were influenced by his presence that night and by the hope he gave to people. He was speaking out for people who had no voice. That was the great legacy that Michael left.' Offertory gifts included his People of the Year award, a golf club, a photograph of his time as mayor of Clonmel, the artwork of his great-grandchildren, a newspaper, a candle bearing the image of his 'beloved' wife Mary and a packet of toffees. President Michael D Higgins was represented at the Mass by his aide-de-camp Capt Pat Fitzgerald. Mr O'Brien is survived by his children Geraldine, Peter, Martin and Catriona, his sister, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and his many friends. He was laid to rest at St Patrick's Cemetery. As a child Mr O'Brien spent eight years in St Joseph's Industrial School in Clonmel in Co Tipperary, where he was raped and severely beaten. He spoke out following the publication of the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse in 2009. On Questions and Answers he told then government minister and Fianna Fáil TD Noel Dempsey that he had attempted to end his own life after spending five days being questioned at the commission. Mr O'Brien said his account of being raped and beaten had been questioned 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.' He asked panel member Leo Varadkar to ask his 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 to give us some peace and not continue hurting us.' Broadcaster John Bowman, who presented the show, said Mr O'Brien's words had 'a greater impact than any other contribution from the audience in the history of the programme.'
