In 2005, Mr Noctor sued the minister for education, St Joseph’s Industrial School in Co Kilkenny, the minister for health, and the Southeastern Health Board for the abuse he had suffered in the 1960s. The apology followed a protest by four survivors outside Leinster House seeking additional supports for survivors of abuse in residential institutions. These included a formal apology, and a confirmation by the justice minister that no survivors have a criminal record just by virtue of having been in an industrial or reformatory school. However, speaking to the Irish Examiner following the Taoiseach’s apology, Mr Noctor said: “I’ve heard these apologies a million times, it makes no difference to me. He was the junior minister for education when I was being raped and beaten by David Murray in St Joseph's.

Source: Irish Examiner February 26, 2026 01:27 UTC