Victims of childhood abuse must not be failed again

Those victims who felt strong enough to face it showed up at the plush Crowne Plaza hotel on the outskirts of Belfast yesterday to hear retired judge Sir Anthony Hart deliver the findings of his inquiry into historic child abuse.

The luxurious ballroom in which he summarised the Historic Institutional Abuse (HIA) inquiry was a world apart from the bleak, cold, loveless institutions where many of those present had spent their childhoods.  Some couldn't face it and stayed away, recent political events have taken their toll on those who fear having relived their traumatic childhoods, the report that finally vindicates them might be left to gather dust.

http://www.irishnews.com/news/2017/01/21/news/anaysis-victims-of-childhood-abuse-must-not-be-failed-again-895646/ 

Brendan Smyth's sex crimes 'ignored to protect good name of Catholic Church'

A predatory priest's sex crimes were ignored to protect the good name of the Catholic church, a public inquiry has found. Fr Brendan Smyth attacked children "far and wide" at residential homes in Northern Ireland from the 1940s and was convicted of more than 100 offences.
He was allowed a car to roam the country even after he was eventually charged by police in 1991, and over many years his Norbertine religious order and others within the church failed to take determined and vigorous steps to ensure he did not harm more youngsters, the panel found.

http://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2017/01/20/news/brendan-smyth-s-sex-crimes-ignored-to-protect-good-name-of-catholic-church--895556/ 

Systemic child abuse happened in N Ireland

Children in Northern Ireland suffered decades of cruel sexual, physical and emotional abuse in institutions run by the state, charities and the Catholic and Protestant churches, it has been revealed.

Instances of sexual abuse by priests and lay people were detailed in a 2,300 page, 12-volume report that identified widespread systemic failings and extended responsibility to the Northern Irish government and church authorities.

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/breaking-news/systemic-child-abuse-happened-in-n-ireland/news-story/e0445ff59e2b844042e8f0841fcde3d7 

Victims feel vindicated following abuse inquiry findings, says survivors’ group

A Belfast woman representing survivors of child abuse in care homes in the North says they feel vindicated following the publication of the the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry report which found evidence of systematic failure by institutions and the state.

“We have waited a lifetime. Today we are vindicated. Our day has come,” said Margaret McGuckin.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/victims-feel-vindicated-following-abuse-inquiry-findings-says-survivors-group-1.2945624 

Actress Jane Russell's adoption of Irish baby nearly ended her career

Hollywood star Jane Russell’s adoption of an Irishwoman’s child in the 1950s nearly ended the actress’s career.

Russell had already adopted a girl with her husband, NFL quarterback and kicker Bob Waterfield, but wanted to expand their family, according to the Journal.ie. News of the star’s desire for another child reached Hannah McDermott, a Derrywoman then living in London with her husband and young son. Reportedly Hannah offered her custody of baby Thomas on condition that Jane and Bob provided him with a good home, love and education.

http://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/actress-jane-russell-s-adoption-of-irish-baby-nearly-ended-her-career 

In Search of Anastasia.

I was born in Saint Patrick’s Home, Navan Road Dublin 5.11.1954, according to my birth certificate my mother’s name is Anastasia O’Leary and on the certificate it states  that my mother originally came from Cron Nacole, Kiltegan,Wicklow. 

it is my intention to use this blog to find my mother. I have searched ”Irish Births” on Ancestry.com  and  if her name was Anastasia O’Leary, there are  only five possible mothers, all of whom were born in the Wicklow / Wexford area. Four were registered in Enniscorthy and one was in Gorey.

https://123olearyblog.wordpress.com/ 

It came as a big shock to find my mother was being locked in and tortured like I was'

It’s not where you come from… I’m me, it doesn’t change who I am. At the end of the day if anybody has to stand up for these people, somebody has to without shame.
FOR MARY COLLINS and her daughter Laura Stewart, a trip from the UK to Cork this month will be full of difficult memories. Together, they will travel to St Finbarr’s cemetery in Glasheen on the 27th to light candles and remember Angelina Collins, Mary’s mother who died at a Magdalene laundry

http://www.thejournal.ie/children-of-magdalene-laundry-women-3183623-Jan2017/ 

Abuse In The Missionary Boarding School: Richie's Story

Today, I would like to announce a guest post by Dianne Darr Couts, President of MK (Missionary Kid) Safety Net. I met Dianne at the 2016 SNAP conference in Chicago where I was first introduced to the great need for MK advocacy. MKSN does amazing work to protect and support children (adolescent and adult) who were victimized while their parents were on the mission field. The story you are about to read is true and may be triggering to some survivors.

http://www.ashleyeaster.com/blog/abuse-in-the-missionary-boarding-school

Gov. Cuomo calls for law to extend statute of limitations for child abuse

A sex abuse survivor says child victims deserve more time to speak up or file a lawsuit against their abuser. To do that, it would take a new state law and that's what Governor Cuomo is asking for.
During one of his State of the State addresses this week, he publicly supported giving victims a longer time period to accuse their abuser in court or bring a lawsuit against an institution. But some fear this could bankrupt school districts, churches or synagogues.

http://www.whec.com/news/statute-of-limitations-governor-cuomo-child-abuse/4370692/ 

Survivors of abuse 'left' out in cold' by deadlock

A survivor of institutional abuse has expressed her fears that the collapse of Stormont could leave victims without any form of compensation.
Margaret McGuckin, who helped set up the Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse group (SAVIA), was instrumental in securing the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry headed by Sir Anthony Hart.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/survivors-of-abuse-left-out-in-cold-by-deadlock-35363631.html 

240 apartment plan for former Good Shepherd Convent site

RESIDENTS in Sunday’s Well and Blarney Street have welcomed moves to redevelop the vacant Good Shepherd Convent site, but have raised concerns about future traffic increases.
Moneda Developments, a Dundalk-based firm, purchased the 3.14-hectare site in Sunday’s Well late last year.  They plan to build up to 240 high-end apartments on the former convent site, which has been idle for some 20 years.

http://www.eveningecho.ie/cork-news/240-apartment-plan-former-good-shepherd-convent-site/2607561/ 

Breakdown: The 10 most valuable properties the Catholic Church handed over after Ryan Report

RELIGIOUS CONGREGATIONS STILL owe almost €15 million towards a fund set up to help people who experienced abuse in Irish institutions.
Caranua is an independent state body which was set up in 2012 to administer the €110 million special investment account opened by the National Treasury Management Agency to help survivors.

http://www.thejournal.ie/catholic-church-properties-cash-redress-scheme-3094040-Dec2016/?utm_source=shortlink