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Maurice Patton O’Connell, survivor of an industrial and reform school, on why states apology doesn't go far enough.

The Taoiseach will make a formal apology in the Dail to survivors of industrial and reform school...

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17.20 28 Jan 2026


Maurice Patton O’Connell, survivor of an industrial and reform school, on why states apology doesn't go far enough.


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17.20 28 Jan 2026


The Taoiseach will make a formal apology in the Dail to survivors of industrial and reform schools, a move that follows decades of  campaigning by those who suffered abuse in state run institutions  

The apology comes after a deal was reached between the Government and four hunger strikers who had been protesting outside Leinster House for over 50 days, having survived on coffee and water  

That hunger strike ended after a promise that a package of supports would be delivered but one of those campaigners says the promises are already falling apart  

Maurice Patton O’Connell is a survivor of Pembroke Arms industrial school and one of the hunger stokers he joined Ciara Doherty to discuss


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The Hard Shoulder

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