Our sincere congratulations to Dr Elizabeth Riordan Coppin, who yesterday received an honorary doctorate from South East Technological University in Waterford.

This rare and prestigious award recognises Elizabeth’s determined and fearless pursuit of learning and justice, as a survivor of five abusive residential institutions. For decades, Elizabeth has researched and written about her experiences and those of thousands like her. She has presented her human rights arguments before the United Nations, An Garda Síochána, and numerous judicial and other state processes. Elizabeth has repeatedly offered her testimony in public and to young people in educational settings, in an effort to ensure that Irish society treats all women and children as equal citizens in the future.

We are extremely proud to have worked with Elizabeth, and to have attended her award ceremony in Waterford yesterday.

We are encouraged and inspired by all survivors and affected people who have spoken truth to power, and we join Elizabeth in celebrating all of you.