Cork woman dies without hearing formal State apology for being given thalidomide

Peggy Murphy from White’s Cross died at the age of 95

Peggy Murphy will be buried on Saturday in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Carrignavar at 10am. Picture via RIP.ie

A Cork woman, 95, who was given thalidomide during pregnancy has died without hearing a formal State apology for what was done to her family.

Peggy Murphy, White’s Cross, will be buried on Saturday in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Carrignavar at 10am.

Her son Martin, in his 60s now, is deaf and was born missing one ear, cannot speak and has facial paralysis, she previously told the Irish Examiner.

She said then: “I won’t be around forever. He’s very independent but he’d miss my company. All of his brothers and sisters are brilliant to him, but he tells me his troubles. I don’t know what will happen to him health-wise.

“Thalidomide survivors should be adequately compensated so they can have a decent standard of living. I would love closure on this.” 

She spoke on the Late Late Show in 2023 with Martin to help highlight their frustrations. 

Finola Cassidy, spokeswoman for the Irish Thalidomide Association (ITA) said her death is devastating news.

“Sorry seems to have been the hardest word and it’s all Peggy ever wanted to hear,” she said.

“We are so sad for Martin and his sister Norma and all the Murphy family and send all our sympathy and love at the loss of a truly special person.” 

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

Peggy was active in campaigning with the group for many years.

“She told her story from the mother’s side and how the tragedy was not of their making,” Finola said on Friday.

The mother and son featured in an art exhibition at the Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts in Dublin last month.

Artist Paul MacCormaic focused on advocates and campaigners, saying he wanted to depict “people who are working against the established views and writing their own history". 

He said of Ms Murphy's death: "This leaves just four mothers alive in Ireland who gave birth to affected babies. The cruel theme of 'justice delayed is justice denied' goes on."