Industrial home survivors end hunger strike after assurances from Taoiseach

(Left to right) Mary Dunlevy Green, Miriam Moriarty Owens, Mary Donovan and Maurice Patton O'Connell were on hunger strike outside Leinster House demanding access to contributory pensions and Health Amendment Act cards in recognition of the State’s responsibility for their treatment in residential institutions. Photo: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ie

Four former industrial home survivors have called off a 50-day hunger strike after receiving assurances from the Taoiseach.

Maurice Patton O'Connell, Mary Donovan, Miriam Moriarty Owens and Mary Dunleavy Greene went without food for more than a month, surviving on coffee and water.

They were regularly checked by medics, and they lost between three and four stone during their campaign.

They camped out close to the Dáil and were sleeping rough in a tent over what they claimed were failures by the government to provide them with two recommendations from the redress scheme.

They insisted they were entitled to a Health Amendment Act (HAA) card and a contributory pension, which they say were promised by the Government but have not been delivered as part of the industrial schools' redress scheme.

The Taoiseach met with the four hunger strikers last week in Government Buildings, where they spoke for two hours. They met again on Monday night for further talks with the Taoiseach and minister for education Helen McEntee.

On Tuesday, they called off their hunger strike after the "successful meeting" and are now on their way home to their families.

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

Miriam Moriarty Owens said: "I'm going home to my bed now. I am absolutely over the moon.

"We got what we wanted, an enhanced medical card and the contributory pension and there were some issues at the meeting, but we put it all on the table.

"The Taoiseach was fair, he handled things well. It was a very hard fight, but we got there in the end. 

It should never have come to this. 

"Thousands of Irish children went through the industrial schools and were treated so badly, starved, beaten, stripped, and left with so much damage. We only wanted our entitlements.

"We are grateful for the support, we are all on our way home now."