One of Cork's 'Angels of Bessborough' who helped women flee mother and baby home dies

The role of John Furlong, who died aged 94, was to throw local gardaí off the scent when a woman was being rescued from Bessborough

John Furlong will repose at the Temple Hill Funeral Home, Boreenmanna Road, on Thursday from 4pm to 5pm before Requiem Mass at 11am on Friday in the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Ballinlough. Picture: Denis Minihane

One of the last known “Angels of Bessborough” who helped rescue women locked up in the notorious Cork-run mother and baby home, has died.

John Furlong, 94, was part of an undercover operation that helped women escape from the religious-run institution for unmarried mothers when he was a teenager. The unofficial group of 10 people were involved in relocating women who wanted to flee the home for a better life abroad.