Abuse survivor and former Mayor of Tipperary's largest town has passed away

The death has occurred of former Fianna Fáil Mayor of Clonmel Michael O’Brien.

After his career in politics had ended, Mr O’Brien was in the news in 2009 when he appeared on RTÉ’s Questions and Answers programme and spoke about his experiences of being abused as a child in St Joseph's Industrial School in Clonmel.

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He addressed his remarks to then-government minister Noel Dempsey, following the publication of the Ryan Report into clerical abuse.

The report had been published ther week before the programme was broadcast, and a decade after the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse was set up by the then government.

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The commission heard thousands of complaints from former residents of mostly Catholic institutions.

It found that sexual abuse was endemic in boys' institutions, and a chronic problem in some residential institutions.

Mr O’Brien said he tried to take his own life after spending five days at the commission.

Before entering politics, he was a member of the Defence Forces and served on overseas tours of duty.

Mr O’Brien, from Oliver Plunkett Terrace, Clonmel, died on Tuesday at his daughter Geraldine's residence. 

He was predeceased by his wife Mary. 

He is survived by his family, Geraldine, Peter, Martin and Catriona; sister, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and his many friends, to whom sincere sympathy is extended.

He will be reposing at Fennessy's Funeral Home this Wednesday evening from 5pm to 7pm, with removal on Thursday morning to St Mary's Church, Irishtown arriving at 9.50 for Requiem Mass at 10am, followed by interment in St Patrick's Cemetery.