Obituary: John Furlong, an ‘Angel of Bessborough’, helped women flee mother and baby home

Speaking to the Irish Examiner in 2023, Mr Furlong said of the mother and baby homes: 'When it all came out a few years ago, I remember thinking we knew that was going on. Everyone knew'

John Furlong, RIP. In an interview two years ago, Mr Furlong told the ‘Irish Examiner’ how as a young man he and other local 'Angels' in Blackrock, Cork, helped women flee Bessborough.

Tributes have poured in for the last known ‘Angel of Bessborough’ who helped rescue women from the religious-run institution.

John Furlong passed away peacefully at Cork University Hospital on Monday aged 94. He was part of an unofficial group of 10 locals who lived near the home and helped women to escape when he was a teenager.