Ken Foxe, Public Affairs Correspondent: Sunday Tribune
5th December 2010
Some €157m has been paid in legal fees to barristers and solicitors who worked on behalf of victims of institutional abuse.
The costs make up more than 15% of all the money paid out as part of the redress scheme for thousands of people who suffered sexual and physical abuse in industrial schools and other institutions.
Six firms of solicitors have earned at least €1m for their work on the cases while the maximum award paid to a victim was just €300,000.
Author Paddy Doyle said the legal profession had made a “very tidy living” from the so-called Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB).
He said: “How can the spending of €157m in fees for work done by the legal profession ever be justified?
“The vast majority of us who appeared before the RIRB wrote our own statements, had them verified by psychiatrists and others. The solicitors and lawyers simply passed them on to the officers of the RIRB. This is a scandal of enormous proportions.”
The Department of Education said the cost of the redress scheme from its inception to now was €1.038bn. Of that, €832m was paid in awards.
The Department of Education defended the amount spent on lawyers and said the scheme had been specifically designed to reduce costs.
It said: “[It] provided a simple mechanism for redress designed to avoid the complexity, expense and trauma of court proceedings without the need for applicants to prove their case in a formal court setting.
“Had the board not been established, the likelihood is that applicants… may have opted for a civil action, which would undoubtedly have attracted significantly higher legal fees per case.”
The department said only a “reasonable amount” for legal expenses could be paid in each case, including any related court proceedings.
However, it said where legal costs were too high and could not be agreed, it referred them back to the taxing master to come up with a fairer figure.
The most recent annual report of the RIRB from 2008 showed that six legal firms had made €1m.
Michael E Hanahoe solicitors was paid €3.02m for 186 cases while Peter McDonnell & Associates received €2.82m for 351 cases. Two other firms, Byrnes Carolan Cunningham and Murphy English & Co have both earned in excess of €2m.
Hi to all
MANDATE FOR PADDY DOYLE AND KATHLEEN O’MALLEY
MEETING NEEDED WITH IRISH GOVERNMENT A.S.A.P
Please use link below to vote for Paddy Doyle to represent “Survivors” of institutional abuse
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/mandate-for-paddy-doyle-to-represent-survivors/
Nominations have also started for Kathleen O’Malley
to act alongside Paddy, both to act on our behalf to be “Our Voice” in all dealings with the Irish Government!
To vote Please join the ‘Shame of Ireland’ website using the following link
http://shameofireland.co.uk/forum/topics/nominations-for-spokesperson
Many Thanks Kay
ALL THE MONIES THESE SOLICITORS MADE ON OUR SUFFERINGS BY GIVING US BAD ADVICE,OUR REWARDS WERE MADE WITHOUT US BEEN PRESENT AT THE HEARINGS(A MURDERER CAN BE PRESENT AT HIS TRIAL AT LEAST HE KNOWS WHATS GOING ON)WE WERE KEPT IN THE DARK.
WOULD ANY SOLICITOR TAKE OUR CASE AGAINST THE GOVERNMEMT THE WAY CHEATED THE ABUSED OUT OF THE REWARD MADE BY THE RELIGIOUS ORDERS(33M 20M AND THIS SO CALLED TRUST FUND)BY WAY OF GIVING SOMETHING BACK TO THE ABUSED .
THE ONLY WAY WE WILL EVER GET JUSTICE IS THROUGH
THE COURTS IN EUROPE,WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE THE GANGSTERS TO COURT
Unlike a previous prediction of a thousand years ,which did not succeed .This will go on and on , we will as usual keep the survivor code of dignity and not be ever tainted by the shame that these present day people must endure.For what it is worth, we must all face a higher power.so history may be repeated and SODOM and that other place burn the evil out .
A number of Case Issue for Battle Front. Lady which Bishop told Priest and gave Statement. Relgious Discriminar=tion and Breach of Trust and Cinfidence. They use to exclaim not informing any one when Priest tell them they are paediophiles.
Redress Victims awarded under Eur38,000 where not given High Court minimum award as Promised. Both Redress and Government and Soliciotrs.
Also the Archdioses also have Liability to Redress. They had curates and inspections and ignored conditions like Harry Moores Artane Report. the Priest are higher ranked then the Orders that ran them and bear a greater Christian responability.
Vatican and Pope Negligence Class Action for failing to provide christianity in its following to provide the same forgiveness jesus gave to the Romans for his murder they claim. they puniush us further for their crimes. Also personal case of False marketing of the Catholic Church as Christian, when I reported I =new nothign abiout the scale and methods used. Well even though I was no longer Catholic I believe they where christian. Easy win.
So Holland joins the group of countries racked by Roman Catholic child abuse as “The Deetman Report” was published yesterday. Two thousand (2000) cases have been reported to the commission. Deetman is highly critical of the way the church has responded to the victims and recommends intimidate compensation and other needs. There is anger and shock at the cunning methods used to delay and cover up and even shield predator priests. Incidentally Herr Deetman was appointed by the Roman Catholic Church to investigate clerical abuse of children both sexual and other abuse. His first recommendation was that the church stand down as a help and support group, it simply lacked credibility. Had it not been for the diligent work of two journalists here in Holland this may never have come to light. The other recommendation is that a statutory investigation be carried out by the authorities in Holland in to historic sexual abuse of children by priests, brothers and nuns. Media in Holland have described the situation as nearly as bad as in Ireland.
Thanks for your page Paddy. I expressed my opinion on the subject of solicitors a short time ago, Now is the time for them to stand up, be counted and work for us survivors. PRO BONO.This would I feel, hasten the removal of these peopple who. have lived a very comfortable life off our sufferings, years ago , and suffering to this day .Here hoping a nice xmas to you Paddy. and all survivors,We can not forget those who have gone from us ever . thank you. Paddy.
HERE HERE KATHLEEN YES I AGREE YOU AND PADDY ARE THE BEST PEOPLE TO REPERSENT US
Hi Paddy, All my Campaign False starts. Well I am ready to Launch my Armageddon. I have the Irish Government for Insulting the Thai Government dur to dfa inferring my Thai Wife and Children should go to poverty as opposed to providing the contracted service to supply my request for my Legal right to the Legal aid be Authorized by the Minister of Justice and Taoiseach. I any case asked for retraction of insult but not forthcoming will advertise in Media for retraction. shall send E-mail for you to see game. Any case Just thought I was coining your name to regard the abuse me and I complain and your crazy from abusers syndrome which Pearse and family etc have being using. Well maybe possibility to publishing your Book’s Here if translated to Thai. This will be a big expose on the what I call Murphy Gate Tribunal Scandal. Read the E-mail Please Paddy the War is nearly over for us all. I will be Launching my Court campaign on my Birth day human rights Day tomorrow. Your battle for people with disabilities is much sought in this region. My charity was going to set up Tourist Businesses in this region to provide work for Disabled people over looked as well as homes for street Children. The Celts are Back. Even in Exile they Quake in there pants at my Advance. The Irish Consulate could go to Jail if insult continues. Next week I place advertisement for Retraction Publicly. Read the E-mail and have a laugh at what could be coming.
Catherine,Gabrielle and Kay.
I have not altered my view on this matter. I accept so what ever is required to arrive at this stage do let me know. Of course I would be very happy to work with Paddy. After all we have the same agenda. Justice for all.
The Stockholme syndrome I suffered from, for many years after leaving Moate Prison. Sadly the same mental attitude entered my marriage. We have carried so much unfortunate baggage inflicted on us by those evil monsters.
THE TRUTH WILL SET US FREE, BUT FIRST IT WILL MAKE US WEEP. This was certainly my experience.
I am Irish by birth, could I relocate back to Ireland DEFINITELY NOT. England gave me opportunities that I could never have had in Ireland. I genuninly feel sorry for the Irish population, then as Robert has said, WHY CONTINUE TO VOTE THESE PEOPLE BACK INTO POWER.
Kathleen O’Malley.
What really scares me about the Irish people, per se, (and I’m Irish born and bred myself) is that they repeatedly complain about the government, yet they ALWAYS vote them back into power.
Most definitely a case of collective Stockholme Syndrome…
Dear Kathleen
Just a short reply to the above you asked me which prisons was I in their were three such places I like to call them concentration camps the last one was the Magdelans and this was almost the worse expierence of my life and thankfully I have moved on frome it all I feel so sad when I see what is going on, Kathleen very well done for your book and I have not met you but still feel you would make a great spokes person take care Gabrielle O Gorman
“But in my mind was the difference in the measure of respect.”
Hi Pauline,
Whenever I hear the word “respect” used with regard to the Catholic Church (and that goes for most of the solicitors representing the Redress Board survivors et al) I’m always reminded of Cardinal Daly, ex Archbishop of Armagh – aka- the so-called PRIMATE of All Ireland (love it!)on an RTE radio interview some 15/20 years ago wherein he talked about how he was beaten with a cane or leather strap, as a child, but how he had so much respect for that same sadistic adult male, whom Daly regarded as his superior. See, there are no shortgage of Irish people who do not understand the true meaning of the word “respect”, as a direct result of their Roman Catholic upbringing …
Best wishes,
Martha
Hi Catherine I would also like to see Kathleen as ‘spokeperson’ alongside Paddy, maybe something can be worked out, if both Paddy and Kathleen are agreed!
Best Regards Kay
I also think Kathleen O’Malley would make a great spokes woman for survivors along with Paddy.After reading both The God Squad and “Childhood interrupted” they certainly could represent survivors two people we can trust and believe.
yes i know what you mean.But in my mind was the difference in the measure of respect.
Pauline Jackson wrote:-
“wow we would all have been better off had we been lawyers”
Yes, Pauline, but only if one regards being “better off” in purely materialistic terms – as sociopathic people do…
Hi Gabrielle.
Thank you for your kind words. I was invited some months back to be a voice for my fellow suffers. As I said then and still say I would be happy to. I HAVE NOT BEEN INFORMED OF ANY PROCEEDINGS RECENTLY.
What prison were you incarcerated in? hope I am not being to personal. I have recently met up with a woman who was in Moate, she traced me via my Book. How sad, we both held the same SHAME of BEING OURSELVES FOR MANY YEARS. HOW WICKED AND EVIL WERE THOSE SO CALLED BRIDES OF CHRIST.
MANY OF US STILL HAVE NOT HAD OUR CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS EXPUNGED.
THERE ARE PROBABLY MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT KEEPING A CLOSE WATCH ON THIS SITE. IF SO IT IS TIME YOU DID SOMETHING ABOUT THIS OR WE WILL.
KATHLEEN o’MALLEY.
Just want to say well said to Kathleen O Malley right on q I fell that you Kathleen would make a great spokes women for the survivors as I feel you are sincere and you know what you are talking about Gabrielle O Gorman
AAAH THIS IRISH GOVERNMENT HAS DONE IT AGAIN, CHILD ALLOWANCE HAS BEEN CUT ACROSS THE BOARD MEANING POVERTY HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED BY THIS GOVERNMENT FOR IT’S CHILDREN.
NEGLECT NEGLECT NEGLECT HOW MANY TIMES IS THIS GOVERNMENT GOING TO ABUSE THE BIRTH OF A CHILD. THESE CHILDREN DESERVE THE RIGHT TO AN EQUAL LIFE.
EXPENSE SHEETS FOR FOOD FOR THE RICH IS HIGHER THAN THE LIFE OF A CHILD.
THIS IS ONE SICK COUNTRY WITH SICK PRINCIPALS GREEDY SELF CENTERED MORONS WHO STAMPEDE OVER HUMAN RIGHTS WHO GRAB THE MONEY FROM THE POOR CHILDREN’S MOUTHS TO FILL THEIR OVER WEIGHTED WALLETS.
IRISH POLITICIANS, AND ANYONE WHO EARNS OVER HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS, YOU ARE A TOTAL DISGRACE TO THE CHILDREN OF IRELAND, AND YOU WILL NEVER CHANGE.
YOU CRITICIZE ONE ANOTHER YET ALL ARE GUILTY OF DOING NOTHING TO SUPPORT THE CHILDREN OF IRELAND. ESPECIALLY THAT YOU ALL KNOW WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SO MANY YEARS PAST IN IRELAND.
YET YOU CALL YOURSELVES IRISH. IRISH WHAT I ASK?
COPIED FROM ARTICLE ABOVE. wHAT A LOAD OF TOSH.
“Had the board not been established, the likelihood is that applicants… may have opted for a civil action, which would undoubtedly have attracted significantly higher legal fees per case.”
The Government set this up. It was they who allowed this unlawful act to be carried out. As I have stated years ago, we did not require Legal Advice, had the Religious admitted years ago their guilt as they have recently done, we would have been better taking them to a Civil court. There was a lot of Trauma experienced by all of us, .
Firstly we had to get a Psychological Report which cost an arm and a leg recommended by the Legal Team. THE SOLICITORS, NONE OF WHICH WERE QUALIFIED TO DEAL WITH OUR PAST OR THE ABUSE THERE IN. This was A CASE OF JOBS FOR THE BOYS. I note Lavelle Coleman, were not mentioned I am sure they earned a tidy sum also. THE COURTS COMMITTED US, INNOCENT CHILDREN TO A LIFE OF HELL. THEN FORCED US TO PROVE OUR EXPERIENCE. I SAY IT AGAIN “SHAME ON YOU IRELAND, THE RELIGIOUS, THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM NOT FORGETTING OF COURSE THE N.S.P.C.C. WHO TO DATE HAVE NOT SO MUCH AS UTTERED A WORD OF REGRET OR APOLOGY.
I SAY AGAIN THE GROUP LEADERS AND OUTREACH WORKERS HAVE A LOT TO ANSWER FOR. WHAT DID THEY DO WITH THAT VAST SUM OF MONEY. I CERTAINLY HAVE NOT HAD ANY ASSISTANCE FORM ANY GROUP, I AM SURE THERE ARE THOUSANDS LIKE ME. THEY SOLD US DOWN THE SWANNEY. OR TOOK THE MICK. this was continued abuse.
Kathleen O’Malley.
This just confirms my feeling this is most appalling abuse of the same that was indured by many thousands of children throughout the lenght and breath of Ireland Solicitors should have not been part of this process as they are guilty of lining their own pockets I blame the redress for involving these Solicitors they should also hang their heads in shame as should the catholic church and the Vatican this makes my blood boil and this is still only at the tip of the iceburg what a lagacy and a trail of distruction in their wake I could go on G Gorman
wow we would all have been better off had we been lawyers. if the idea was to keep costs down why did we need a lawyer and a barrester. after all the files were prepared by us so all thay had to do was be at the redress board on the day given by the board and assist them in deciding the amount of the award.with no information i did not know what to base on. so we had to trust them.these groups should have advised us as thay knew how things were. thay dident which showes which side thay were on