Irene Roberts

Irene Roberts is a fictional character in the Australian soap opera Home and Away, portrayed by actress Jacqui Phillips in 1991 and by Lynne McGranger from 1992 to the present.

Character
Irene is the second longest-serving current cast members in terms of continuous service, having been a regular since 1994. She has undergone many changes of personality over the years, from a violent alcoholic to a coarse comic relief to a more maternal figure. She has had three children: her eldest Nathan spent time in prison for robbery before moving to Ireland, her younger two, Fin and Damian, were fostered by Michael and Pippa Ross. She also gave birth to Fin's son Paul in a surrogacy arrangement.

Irene initially moved to the Bay to try and reconnect with her children but instead ended up taking in a large number of other teenagers. Among those to have lived with her are Selina Roberts, Chloe Richards, Joey Rainbow, Will, Hayley and Nick Smith, Robbie and Tasha Hunter, Kit Hunter, Kane and Kirsty Phillips, Kim Hyde and (briefly) Cassie Turner. Her current charges are Belle Taylor and Geoff and Annie Campbell.

Irene has had a few romances. Her husband Murdoch was murdered in 1995 after they were briefly reconciled only for her to discover he was molesting Selina. She was engaged to builder Mick O'Reilly before discovering he was already married (twice). She also dated much younger high school principal Paris Burnett. Her most enduring romances were with another principal, Barry Hyde, and with Ken Smith, who died in an accident at his garage days before they were due to marry.

Irene has had a number of troubles, being attacked in her home by Ken's crazed ex-wife, being targeted by developer Dennis Scott when she refused to sell him her house and being poisoned by her lodger Corey Henderson, who blamed her, as a member of the jury, for his father's imprisonment. She worked at the Diner for a time before taking a computer course and being school secretary until four different principals. Tasha later bought her a share in the Diner. She is currently co-owner of the Pier Diner with Leah Patterson-Baker and Roman Harris.