Taoiseach ‘unequivocally’ apologises to survivors of abuse at industrial schools

By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

The Taoiseach has “unequivocally apologised” to the survivors of childhood abuse at industrial and reformatory schools in Ireland.

Micheál Martin issued the apology in the Dáil on “behalf of the Government, the State, and all the citizens of the State” for “the profound sorrow for the terrible pain and abuse suffered”.

Addressing survivors, he said: “What you endured on a daily basis as innocent children was harrowing, heartbreaking and wrong.”

Four survivors of abuse, Mary Donovan, Mary Dunlevy Greene, Miriam Moriarty Owens and Maurice Patton O’Connell, who were sitting in the Distinguished Visitors Gallery, received a round of applause ahead of the apology.

They had staged a hunger strike outside Leinster House to highlight ongoing issues they face because of their abuse.

The Taoiseach reiterated a 1999 state apology, saying it was a “sincere and long overdue apology to the victims of childhood abuse for our collective failure to intervene, to detect their pain and to come to their rescue.”

He outlined measures taken by successive governments to deal with historic abuse and prevent further instances.

The Taoiseach also said the protest group had raised concerns about the “adequacy” of new supports approved by the government in 2023.

Following a mediation process, he said, the government has “agreed to provide further improvements to these services”.

He said: “These include strengthened access to health services for survivors of industrial and reformatory schools through appointment of dedicated health liaison officers and better access to counselling and physiotherapy services.

“Work is already underway to put these services in place.”

Adding there was also an agreement to “provide additional funding for education grants under the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Act 2025 (Education Act 2025).”

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Women’s Aid (24-hour freephone helpline at 1800-341 900, email helpline@womensaid.ie) or Men’s Aid Ireland (confidential helpline at 01-554 3811, email hello@mensaid.ie) for support and information.

Safe Ireland also offers a number of local services and helplines at safeireland.ie/get-help/where-to-find-help/. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.