• In Ireland Grünenthal sold Thalidomide with the help of a local distributor TP Wheleham, Son & Company, starting in May 1959 under various trade names, including “Softenon”. It was available without prescription. Even though the Irish government knew about the risks associated with the drug after it was withdrawn from the German market in Nov. 1961, it stayed on the Irish market well into the second half of 1962.

• There might have been up to 87 Thalidomide babies born in Ireland, but only 34 were ever officially recognized. 31 of them are still alive today.

• Since Grünenthal itself manufactured the Thalidomide sold in Ireland, survivors there have been receiving money from the German Contergan Foundation since the early 1970s.

• After an arrangement with the parents was reached in 1973, the Irish government added to the money from Germany and paid its survivors one single lump sum, ranging from between IR£6,400 ($13,400 CDN) and IR£21,200 ($44,350 CDN at the time) – which was four times as high as the lump sum they received from Germany. Since 1975 the Irish government has also provided them with monthly pensions, ranging from between IR£25 ($52 CDN) and IR£75 ($155 CDN at the time). Ever since those pensions have been adjusted to inflation and have been increased by a few percent every couple of years.

• There are about nine Irish Thalidomiders whose mothers took the drug after it was officially off the market in Germany and the UK.

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