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Irish Daily Mirror
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.
Irish Independent
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Michael O'Brien, abuse survivor and former mayor who took government to task, dies aged 92
Michael O'Brien (92) appeared on RTÉ's Questions and Answers programme on May 25, 2009, and outlined in detail his experiences of being abused as a child in St Joseph's Industrial School in Clonmel, Co Tipperary. Mr O'Brien was addressing then-minister Noel Dempsey, following the publication of the Ryan report into clerical abuse. Mr O'Brien, a former local councillor, also served as a Fianna Fáil Lord Mayor of Clonmel in 1993. In the programme, Mr O'Brien detailed his own experiences with the commission. He said he tried 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," Mr O'Brien said. During his contribution, he also addressed panel member Leo Varadkar, saying: "Can I speak to you and ask your leader [Enda Kenny] to stop making a political football out of this?' Mr O'Brien said. "You hurt us [survivors] 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." Afterwards, presenter John Bowman said that Mr O'Brien's speech was the most memorable moment in 23 years of the show. Paying tribute after the news of Mr O'Brien's death, one friend wrote on the RIP funeral notices website: 'Michael's words in 2009 inspired so many people and echoed the frustrations of this country. Deepest sympathies to the O'Brien family at this difficult time. RIP Michael''. Another friend wrote ''Rest in Eternal Peace, Michael. Your bravery in speaking out about all that you suffered as a child speaks volumes! You deserve the heaven of heavens after all that you suffered!! Your life and witness will never be forgotten!!!'' Mr O'Brien was predeceased by his wife Mary, and is survived by his children Geraldine, Peter, Martin and Catriona. His remains will repose at Fennessy's Funeral Home in Clonmel this evening from 5pm to 7pm with removal on Thursday morning to St Mary's Church, Irishtown, at 10am followed by interment in St. Patrick's Cemetery.
BreakingNews.ie
23-04-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Tributes paid to abuse survivor Michael O'Brien following his death
Tributes are being paid to an abuse survivor who famously tackled the government during a live TV debate in 2009. Michael O'Brien (92) appeared on RTÉ's Questions and Answers programme on 25th May 2009, where he outlined in detail his experiences of being abused as a child in St Joseph's Industrial School in Clonmel in Co Tipperary. Advertisement Mr O'Brien was addressing then-government Minister Noel Dempsey, following the publication of the Ryan report into clerical abuse. Mr O'Brien also served as a Fianna Fáil Lord Mayor of Clonmel in 1993. In the programme, Mr O'Brien detailed his own experiences with the commission. He said he tried 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," Mr O'Brien said on RTÉ in 2009. 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." Advertisement After he had spoken, presenter John Bowman said that Michael O'Brien's speech was the most memorable moment in 23 years of the show. Paying tribute, one friend wrote ''Michael's words in 2009 inspired so many people and echoed the frustrations of this country. Deepest sympathies to the O'Brien family at this difficult time. RIP Michael''. Another friend wrote ''Rest in Eternal Peace, Michael. Your bravery in speaking out about all that you suffered as a child speaks volumes! You deserve the heaven of heavens after all that you suffered!! Your life and witness will never be forgotten!!!''. Michael is predeceased by his wife, Mary, and is survived by his family, Geraldine, Peter, Martin and Catriona. His remains will repose at Fennessy's Funeral Home this Wednesday evening, April 23rd, from 5 pm to 7 p,m with removal on Thursday morning to St Mary's Church, Irishtown, at 10am, followed by interment in Cemetery
Irish Times
22-04-2025
- Irish Times
Michael O'Brien, former lord mayor of Clonmel and abuse survivor, has died
Michael O'Brien, a former lord mayor of Clonmel and sex abuse survivor has died. He appeared on RTÉ's Questions and Answers programme in May 2009 where he outlined in detail his experiences of being abused as a child in St Joseph's Industrial School in Co Tipperary. Mr O'Brien spoke out following the publication of the Ryan report into clerical abuse. The report came a decade after the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse was set up by the government. READ MORE Thousands of complaints were heard by the commission from former residents of predominantly Catholic institutions. The Commission found that such abuse was endemic in boys' institutions, and in some residential institutions. During the RTÉ programme, Mr O'Brien revealed how his own experiences with the commission went. He explained that he tried to take his own life after spending five days at the commission. The late mayor of Oliver Plunkett Terrace, Clonmel died today at his sister Geraldine's residence. He was predeceased by his wife Mary. His death notice on reads: 'Michael (former Mayor of Clonmel), 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.' Mr O'Brien will be reposing at Fennessy's Funeral Home from Wednesday at 5pm until 7pm with removal on Thursday morning to St Mary's Church, Irishtown, Clonmel for 10am Requiem Mass at followed by interment in St Patrick's Cemetery. Another former lord mayor of Clonmel Darren Ryan described Mr O'Brien as giving 'so much to so many during his lifetime'.
RTÉ News
22-04-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Abuse survivor Michael O'Brien dies
Michael O'Brien, the child sexual abuse survivor who spoke powerfully of his experiences on an episode of RTÉ's Questions and Answers in 2009, has died. Mr O'Brien was a former mayor of Clonmel in Co Tipperary. He appeared on RTÉ's Questions and Answers programme in May 2009 where he outlined in detail his experiences of being abused as a child in St Joseph's Industrial School in Co Tipperary. Mr O'Brien was addressing then-government Minister Noel Dempsey. He also talked about his experiences with the subsequent commission of investigation. Mr O'Brien said he tried 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," Mr O'Brien said on RTÉ in 2009. Local councillor Richie Molloy paid tribute to Mr O'Brien for being so outspoken at the time. He said Mr O'Brien came across so passionately on the Questions and Answers programme and people really identified with that. He also praised him for his work in assisting people in the area with the redress system over the years and offered his sympathies to Mr O'Brien's family. The funeral service for Mr O'Brien will take place on Thursday morning at St Mary's Church in Irishtown, Co Tipperary.
