Mary Laffoy

Mary Laffoy is a retired Irish judge who gained prominence as the first chair of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse in Ireland. Appointed in 2000, she led the commission's efforts to investigate the historical abuse of children in residential institutions, particularly those run by religious organizations. Laffoy's tenure was marked by significant challenges, including a lack of cooperation from some institutions and legal actions aimed at preventing the naming of abusers in the commission's final report. She resigned in 2003 due to these difficulties, highlighting the systemic issues surrounding child protection and the accountability of religious organizations in Ireland.