Limerick Hunger Striker Demands Dignity for Survivors of Care

For the past 13 days, Mary Dunlevy Greene, a 73-year-old woman from Kilteely, has been on a hunger strike outside Leinster House in Dublin, Ireland. Alongside three fellow survivors, she is demanding recognition and support for individuals who spent time in industrial and reformatory schools. The protest aims to highlight the urgent need for services such as universal medical cards and State pensions, which survivors claim were promised to them 26 years ago but have yet to be delivered.

Mrs. Dunlevy Greene, who currently lives in Carlow with her husband, has shared her painful past, describing her time at the Mount St Vincent Industrial School in Limerick. She stated that she never intended to reveal the horrors of her childhood but feels compelled to advocate for her fellow survivors. “We want to die in comfort and grow old with dignity,” she emphasized in a recent interview.

Survivors Unite in Protest

Less than 4,000 survivors of these institutions are seeking government action. Alongside Mary, the hunger strikers include Miriam Moriarty Owens (68), Maurice Patton O’Connell (57), and Mary Donovan (57). They have received support from local charities that provide tarpaulins and health checks, helping them endure the harsh weather conditions as they sleep rough.

Despite notifying the government of their intentions to strike, the group has faced inaction. Mrs. Dunlevy Greene noted that meetings with Minister Helen McEntee yielded no substantial progress. Public support for their cause has been evident, with many citizens signing petitions and expressing solidarity.

Reflecting on their hunger strike, Mrs. Dunlevy Greene remarked, “We are used to hunger after all those years in the homes, but this is re-traumatizing us and bringing us back.” At 73, she acknowledges the toll the protest is taking on her health but insists that their resolve only grows stronger.

Personal Stories of Trauma and Resilience

Mrs. Dunlevy Greene’s childhood was marked by tragedy; her mother died during childbirth when she was just four years old. Following this, she and her three brothers were taken by the State, which led to a lifelong separation. She recalls being taken to court to be signed over as wards of the State, a label that still haunts her today.

“I was kidnapped from my home with no personal items and I never saw my reflection in a mirror until I left,” she stated, highlighting the deep psychological scars that remain from her experience.

Her brothers were sent to an industrial school in Cork, while she ended up in Limerick. Visits from her father were infrequent, and when he did come, he was informed that his children were no longer his responsibility. “Our family remained completely fractured,” she said, adding that she considers herself one of the lucky survivors. “I met a good man and have a fantastic family.”

Mrs. Dunlevy Greene believes that many health issues faced by survivors are linked to their experiences in these institutions, where they were treated as “child slaves.” She vividly recalls the lack of care and affection, stating, “We were told that nobody loved us, that nobody cared about us and that we would amount to nothing.”

In response to the hunger strike, Taoiseach Micheál Martin acknowledged the difficulties faced by the survivors and expressed hope for engagement with the government to address their needs. “It’s difficult for the survivors concerned to be on hunger strike – it can have health implications,” he stated during a recent session in the Dáil.

The group of hunger strikers remains committed to their cause, vowing to continue their protest until their demands are met. “We want the State to give us back what was taken from us as children and teenagers,” concluded Mrs. Dunlevy Greene, underscoring the urgency of their fight for dignity and recognition. As they persist in their hunger strike, they call for the State to acknowledge their suffering and provide the support they desperately need.