Irish thalidomide survivor fears mother may die before long-awaited State apology

Mary Clarken from Portlaoise and her daughter Sharon, who was born with a deformed arm due to Thalidomide on the Late Late Show. Picture: RTÉ

An Irish thalidomide survivor whose mother turns 96 on Wednesday said she will be “devastated” if a State apology does not come while her mother is still alive.

Sharon Clarken and her mother, Mary, have long called for an apology, but despite recent progress, Ms Clarken remains worried about the timing.