Representatives of survivors of abuse at institutions investigated by the Ryan Commission have expressed disappointment at the composition of a new committee set up to plan a memorial for former residents of the institutions, writes Religious Affairs Correspondent Patsy McGarry .
Such a memorial was a recommendation in the Ryan report. Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe announced the committee would be chaired by Seán Benton, former chairman of the Office of Public Works, with Bernadette Fahy and Paddy Doyle representing survivors. A sum of €500,000 is being provided for the project.
Victim support groups accused Mr O’Keeffe of having “secretly appointed” a committee which included “two unelected former residents”. They expressed “shock” at the appointments.
The Irish Times 22nd October 2009
If you go to the CRO and ask for the records of the different groups it will be staggering, surprising nay shocking whom you may find as company directors! You wanna’ enlgighten us Andrew?
Yes, maybe it’s time to ask us survivors who WE want to speak up for us.
I to you like to nominate Paddy Doyle to represent me.
Paddy I TRUST
Who the hell do the others think they are.??
With all due respect to Paddy Doyle I think what you’ll end up with is some monument in a side street that will tell a passerby little or nothing about who perpetuated this outrage on children and nothing about the organisation that covered it up.
If we are to live in a country that is based on tolerance, fairness and inclusion then the real memorial would be to rename the 17th of March Paddies day so it can be shared by everyone regardless of colour or creed. That would send a message to Rome that its clerical talons no longer have the grip they did on the country.
That crib in the GPO should also be removed. The GPO is a public building that belongs to the people.
The best thing they could do for me would be to “Expunge my Illegal Conviction” – that would cost nothing, they should spend 500,000 on more needy causes.
This memorial will be meaningless without “Fully Redressing” the past and expunging “all the illegal convictions” – that would be the best way of any semblance of an apology, alas, it will never happen.
Shove the memorial where the sun don’t shine.
Clever aren’t they?!!?..Or so they think they are, the game of chess begins and now different rep groups turning on each other exactly what the cunning ***** want. (Shame on some of you “REPS”…you sold out and have succumbed to the Gangsters grip!)yes that’s right, they are nothing more than organised gangsters-in suits!
Paddy, You would be the only person we would trust to voice our concerns, because you are transparent, passionate and deeply caring. I also think you make a lot of these “Group Reps” very nervous, but how sad?!??!?…
I think it’s about time we all got our heads together, maybe organise another march or something just to keep on highlighting not only the abuse we all suffered, but to also highlight the corrupt Government, Church and all the others involved in prolonging the misery and suffering as if they haven’t caused enough damage!!!….
To all you Holy men of the cloth, take note, you shall all meet your maker and will face the wrath of God! remember you cannot hide from him what you hide with lies, deceit and cover ups from those that have and are still suffering.
Its about time you all got your money out and took care of the ones you so wrongly hurt. Do not prolong it any longer and do not underestimate the strength,determination and fight us survivors have in us all,and also that of our children, grandchildren and family.
NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US
Truth,Love and Peace to All……xx
Adding this post as requested by Kathleen O’Malley
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Hi Paddy. Please add to your site.
“I have asked before and I ask again who Elected the Group Leaders.?”
May I be the first to nominate Paddy Doyle to represent me.
Kathleen O’Malley.
Thanks for the very kind comment Eddy. Paddy
Thank you for such kind comments. I appreciate them. Paddy
It’s not enough that we have outsiders trying to tell us what to do , but now some survivors.
Thanks to Paddy Doyle. The fact that he is there is enough for me
So the survivors of abuse are disappointed in the appointment of survivors Paddy Doyle and Bernadette Fahy to oversee a survivor memorial? The shock. The horror. The very same people who purported to speak for survivors like Paddy, yet had no mandate to do so? The same people who hold in camera meetings with bishops, ministers and others without advising the ‘constituency’ for whom they claim to have a mandate to speak? The same individuals cutting backroom deals with politicians, effectively grinding to a halt any attempts to amend the 2002 Redress Act? I shudder.
Where were these ‘representatives’ when Nothing to Say (Mannix Flynn), Children of the Poor Clares (Mavis Arnold and Heather Laskey), and The God Squad (Paddy Doyle), to mention just a few, were published?
Paddy Doyle is the only abuse survivor who has steadfastly stood behind and promoted the cause for justice for all those abused, and for those denied redress. He has been nothing but candid, prescient and open in his dealings with Church and State. And he has no hidden agenda. To my mind, he is the perfect candidate to oversee a memorial committee and I have absolute trust in his ethics and sense of decency.
Batt O’Keeffe and his RC colleagues are just playing games with the survivors. They couldn’t give a damn about the survivors/victims of Catholic Church childhood TORTURE (lets call a spade a spade!) cos they’re cut from the SAME cloth!!!
Who gives the ‘gangs’ that purport to represent us any right to be shocked and dismayed. Paddy Doyle has discretion, tact, integrity and above all complete honesty in his dealings with ALL people. Let them get a taste of their own medicine and see how it feels for us and how it has felt for the last 10 years knowing they were crooks lining their own pockets at our expense. I want none of these people representing me as not one of them has earned my respect nor confidence. BATT O’KEEFFE TAKE NOTE!!!!!!!
A sum of €500,000 is being provided for the project.
I must admit that I am not “up to speed” on things memorial!
What format is this taking?
A statue – a plaque – a bursary an award or what?
Could no one think of a better way to spend money?
And will this furnish the Bold Batt with yet another media opportunity?
Does he really need one?
MM