Taoiseach to make formal Dáil apology to survivors of industrial homes

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

The Taoiseach will make a formal Dáil apology to survivors of industrial homes, after a deal was reached between the Government and four hunger strikers campaigning for better support.

A Government spokesperson confirmed a package of supports was agreed for survivors of institutional abuse after a mediation process.

In November, four industrial home survivors called off their 50-day hunger strike after a meeting with Micheál Martin and having received reassurances.

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

The Government has said the new package builds on what has been previously provided under the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Act 2025, and will include health, education, housing, and funeral cost support.

Mr Martin is expected to make a formal apology to the survivors in the weeks ahead on behalf of the Government, with the Taoiseach to consult with the attorney general.

The apology is expected to build on the previous 1999 apology to victims of institutional abuse, alongside parts of the 2021 apology to mother and baby home survivors.

After they ended their hunger strike, Ms Moriarty Owens said she was “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.”