By Jennifer Hough
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 07, 2011
A CONTROVERSIAL government-funded charity for survivors of institutional abuse is set to open offices in Galway, Waterford, Limerick and Cork, according to a newsletter published by its new board of directors.
Right of Place in Cork will continue to be funded despite claims that government money — and money donated by religious orders and bishops — was not filtering down to members.
Concerns have been raised continuously over the past 12 months by members, other survivor groups and opposition politicians.
Right of Place has been funded to the tune of at least €2.4 million by the HSE since 2002, with a further €1m coming from the Department of Education.
A large portion of this money was spent on wages and expenses. At one stage the charity had 18 staff, including cooks and security personnel.
However, there is no known record of how hundreds of thousands of euro donated by dioceses and religious orders, such as the Rosminians, was spent and the amounts were never recorded in audited accounts.
Late last year a new treasurer, Tom Brennan, said he could find no “record or evidence” of how anyone except a select inner circle benefited from the charity over a 10-year period.
Shortly after his appointment to the new board of directors, Mr Brennan resigned as he said he could not get answers to the questions he was asking.
However, in a recent newsletter to its members, Right of Place says Mr Brennan stepped down for “personal reasons”.
“I would like to make it very clear I did not step down for personal reasons,” he told the Irish Examiner. “This is more of the bluff and bluster from the new board and I want to put the record straight.”
The newsletter also attacks the Irish Examiner for “pursuing agendas” which it says have caused pain and hardship to survivors.
Ironically, the newsletter offers VEC computer courses, despite the fact that the Right of Place website was discontinued in recent months.
Meanwhile, the Irish Examiner has been contacted by several people who say they never signed up to be members of Right of Place but somehow ended up on the organisation’s database.
A Magdalene survivor in her 70s, living in the US, requested to be taken off the database in 2009 but got no reply and still receives correspondence.
The woman says she never signed up to be a member of Right of Place and the only person she gave her details to was a solicitor travelling in the US with the charity’s founder Noel Barry.
The woman said her concern was that someone had given her private and confidential information to the organisation without her permission.
Right of Place claims to have 1,500 members and has been funded accordingly.
Former treasurer Mr Brennan said he asked to see a database of survivors on several occasions but said he was never given access to it.
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Monday, February 07, 2011
But shouldnt we have the rights to our names. who decided that it was necesairily them who have stronger rights than us ourselves. isint this part of our natural birthright. thay gave many of us numbers in the instutions and denied our rights to use our names . and now these people are doing the same . AND ONCE AGAIN MOST OF THE NEWSPAPERS ARE SHOWING nothing of this manipulating thats still what it is
Thanks for information Robert . that number was never of use to us anyway ,so good riddance,Any time one dialed it , Firstly you were asked for I.D on the phone,then WHO you wanted to speak with .having done this,only to be informed that person was not there and would not be for a given amount of days. the group r.o.p existed but never to suport survivors,any chance we would be saying r.o.p, like the number, does not exist any more.now that would be something to look forward to, sooner than later .
the number you dialed is not in service 1800200709
THIS SHOULD READ AS FOLLOWS
THIS SURVIVOR GROUP IS NOT IN SERVICE OR
ANY SUPPORT FOR SURVIVORS IS NOT IN SERVICE
THE IRISH GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE ASHAMED THE MEDIA TALK ABOUT THE TORTURE IN IRISH PRISONS THE SHAME OF EUROPE EVEN THE WORLD BUT HERE WE HAVE THE TORTURE OF SURVIVORS OF IRISH INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS ABUSE/TORTURE YET NOTHING ON THE INHUMAN TREATMENT THUS FAR AS IT IS LEFT COVERED UP, WHITEWASHED, NEGLECTED, FORGOTTEN, THEY SHAMED THE CHURCH, BUT NOT THE HSE OR GOVERNMENT.
MOST SURVIVORS IF NOT ALL ARE LIVING IN TORTURE NOW THEIR WHOLE CHILDHOOD IS BROUGHT UP AGAIN AND AGAIN, THIS IS THE MOST DISGUSTING GOVERNMENT EVER TO RUN A NATION.
USING THESE SO CALLED GROUPS BY PAYING THEM TO KEEP US QUIET AS HERE IS THE PROOF. THE FREE LINE TO HEAR YOUR VOICES IS SHUT DOWN
THE FREE NUMBER WAS CANCELLED JUST TWO WEEKS AGO
Good Morning Pauline, I`m sure if you write or e-mail the LISOS centre you will be provided with all the help and assistance and information you require.
Regards Angry.
If the HSE can fine hospitals 18 million euro as they just did for poor performance, why not fine all these groups of abusers, which they are, for fraud, Investigate, is the key word to HSE.
Seanie.
When you think about the whole thing. Why did they ask people to sign their names and Addresses going into meetings? You could have put any name down on the sheet. How would they know who anyone is, except if you were known personally to them.
Why would they ask you for your Address, surely that is none of their business, or then maybe there is another Motive behind it all?
If that was how they Accumulated their Database, then they are breaking every rule in the book, which as far as I can see, they have a lot of practice at.
This so called Database will have to be produced, and Scrutinised, and rectified once and for all. This saga is gone far enough, and questions are needed.
We are all fed up at getting the cold shoulder treatment, and being Ignored by this lot. Not answering the questions of the Survivors, is just not good enough, you will be made comply one way or another for your actions.
Having been at meetings of R O P ,in Cork,Waterford, Enniscorthy, when these meetings took place.each person attending, would be required to sign their name and address before being allowed entrance, speaking for myself I do NOT think my PRIVACY would in any way be compromised if R O P were to publish my name, as a SURVIVOR,proud to be called so .As such I call on R O P in Cork to publish and clear up the question of MEMBERS they have. In doing so I feel a lot of?????? could well be answered.
Well angry . you are talking of your experence with the groups but you know so many of us are out of the framework Iam glad that you get support from Sally’ of course i am but we should all at the very least be informed about whats going on Is the irish centre open for all irish people? or is it only for the survivers of industriel schoolsyou see i wouldnt know,having had no contact i dont know what goes on in there:,
THIS SUBJECT OF R.O.P. HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS
WHY CANT WE GET AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE H.S.E.
THEY HAVE THE POWER TO STOP THIS CRAZY SITUATION
WITH R.O.P.THE HSE HAVE GIVEN MILLIONS TO ROP OVER THE YEARS,WHEN ONCE DID THEY LISTEN TO THE MEMBERS COMPLAINTS WHY STILL GIVE MONEY TO THEM WITH OUT ANY STATMENTS OF ACCOUNTS SINCE 2009
SOMETHINGS STINKS HERE DO THE HSE HAVE SOMETHING
TO HIDE.!!!!.
AS FOR MR WALSH YOU SIR TOLD BARE FACED LIES TO LOOK GOOD TO THE READERS OF THIS SITE,YOU RAMBLED ON HOW THE NED COMMITTIE WERE GOING TO CLEAR UP ROP WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH, YOU TOLD A BLATANTLIE
ABOUT MR TOM BRENNEN YOU SAID HE RESIGNED OVER PERSONAL REASONS YOU KNEW HE GOT NO COOPORATION FROM R,.O.P. AND LIKE AN HONEST HE HAD BALLS TO RESIGN, NOT LIKE YOU AND YOUR COMMITTIE WHO CARRY ON TRYING TO FOOL SURVIVERS WITH YOUR SWEET TALK AND LIES. JUST GET OUT AND TAKE THE OTHER GANGSTERS WITH YOU
With regard to this “”new board of directors”” evolving from ROP, has there been any public statement in relation to its purpose and the PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED people it will need to deal with vulnerable people.???????????.
Where is the funding for the opening of FOUR NEW OFFICES coming from, and what are the PROPOSED STAFFING LEVELS, AND FURTHER, WHAT ARE THE “”WAGES”” .?????
CAN I APPLY.?????. AND WILL IT BE CASH IN HAND, THE “”BARRY”” METHOD OF PAYMENT. OH, AND WILL THEY FORK OUT TEN GRAND FOR MY FUNERAL, AND WHAT ABOUT MY FOUR-BY-FOUR. AND WILL IT INCLUDE CUCUMBER SARNIES WITH THE LOCAL bishop AND DO I HAVE TO ATTEND “”mass”” TO GET THIS JOB.???
“”””A CONTROVERSIAL government-funded charity for survivors of institutional abuse is set to open offices in Galway, Waterford, Limerick and Cork, according to a newsletter published by its new board of directors.””” A “”new” board of directors, jasus, just where are these mumpers coming from.???? Where , and HOW were this “new” board of directors elected.??? WHERE WAS THE MEETING HELD TO ELECT THESE “”new directors” and WHAT DEMOCRATIC PROCESS WAS INVOLVED.??? WERE THE RELIGIOUS OR EDUCATION DEPARTMENT INVOLVED IN ANY SUBSTANTIAL ENGAGEMENT WITH THIS “”new board of directors”” AS TO THIS “” new agenda”” BEING INFLICTED ON SURVIVORS BY NO-MARKS, CRETANS AND MUMPERS WHOSE DETERMINATION TO LINE THEIR POCKETS AT THE EXPENSE OF SURVIVORS KNOWS NO BOUNDS.??
All of this suggests that the way for CHURCH and STATE to proceed in a continum of ignorance and head burying is by this infantile approach to initate an open-ended process to continued IN-FIGHING by various “group leaders” as to WHO SHOULD “”LEAD”” WHO.??? Of course ,this translates into MORE ABUSE AND CONFUSION FOR SURVIVORS.
This ghostly and bent organisation known as “right of place” have enjoyed cordial relations with one particular religious sect for some years now, receiving undisclosed funding and “other” benefits which have included enjoying relative immunity from ANY kind of close scrutiny by State or other government organs tasked with the overseeing of HOW PUBLIC MONEY IS SPENT. !!
The disclosures and revealations in recent years concerning this closeely ALLIED FRIEND of the catholic church, WHICH IS WHAT ROP REALLY IS, must give rise to MUCH CONCERN at this news of “”offices”” BEING OPENED ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITHOUT RECOURSE TO PROPER EXAMINATION AS TO THE PURPOSES OF THESE “”OFFICES”” .??? JOBS FOR THE BOYS IS IT.???????? ARE WE HERE IN THE UK TO BENEFIT FROM THE OPENING OF FOUR OFFICES THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTRY TO “”ASSIST”” US.?? OR INDEED, WHAT PROVISIONS ARE BEING ENACTED TO ASSIST FORMER INMATES OF THE IRISH GULAGS WHO ARE SPREAD AROUND THE GLOBE.?? I mean, why not open four offices in fucking SIBERIA.??
There IS one constant in ALL OF THIS VERBIAGE AND GARBAGE which REMAINS ignored, and its the DEBILITATING POVERTY WHICH MANY SURVIVORS CONTINUE TO SUFFER HERE IN THE UK, and I can only speak for the UK, as I witness it DAILY, I am now very familiar with the charities and brialliant volunteers who seek out the disadvantaged and hungry who live on the streets of London, I`m CONSTANTLY amazed by these people who staff the soup and food vans, not only offering food, but also clothing and advice, giving out phone cards to those who need them , giving out advice, and generally being an oasis in a sea of desolation. Of the crowds who gather at these soup vans, AT LEAST 40% are IRISH, MANY OF THEM IN THEIR SIXITES AND SEVENTIES, quite a number who were in the GULAGS OF IRELAND but who KNOW NOTHING OF THE REDRESS BOARD. This is something which ANYBODY can ascertain for themselves by a foray out into the world of the homeless and destitute. I`M GRATEFUL FOR MY FREE BUS AND TUBE PASS WHICH ALLOWS ME TO DO THIS.
Yesterday while in the Strand, I actually stood at the gates of the church which intersects the Law Courts and stood where I stood as a sixteen year old, having “”legged”” it from Daingean in 1961 and “enjoyed” a cup of hot soup in the early hours of that wondrous August night in the Strand HAVING ESCAPED FROM THE RELIGIOUS SECTS WHICH RAN AND STAFFED THAT HELL HOLE KNOWN AS “”DAINGEAN REFORMATORY””.
IT`S NOT “” OFFICES”” THAT SURVIVORS NEED, ITS THE MEANS TO EXIST OUTSIDE OF THE POVERTY TRAP WHICH STILL PLAGUES SO MANY WHOSE LIVES WERE TOTALLY DESTROYED BY INCACERATION IN THE IRISH GULAGS. THE AFTER EFFECTS OF CHILD ABUSE SUFFERED BY SO MANY IN THESE GULAGS OF IRELAND HAS SO MANY FOLLOW ON EFFECTS THAT ITS LITERALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DESCRIBE THEM ALL, THE SEXUAL ABUSE, THE PHYSICAL ABUSE, THE WHIPPINGS OF DAINGEAN, THE CONSTANT HUNGER, THE FORCED LABOUR, THE FORCED SEPARATION FROM FAMILY, THE EMOTIONAL DESOLATION WHICH HAS NO CURE, THE LACK OF SOCIAL SKILLS, THE CRIMINAL DEPRIVATION OF EDUCATION, ETC, ETC, ETC,.
But for the help and assistance of two wonderful people, I presently would be IN A VERY “”BAD PLACE””. I have NO qualms about naming these two people (though they wont thank me) , but I really don`t care, one being Sally Mulready of the Irish Elderly advice centre, and the other Lady being Phylis Morgan, I`m only still here today because of them.
If Brigid Mc Manus still heads up the education department in relation to “”FUNDING”” for these so called “”group leaders”” then she MUST take measured advice in regard to how these monies are spent, as presently and over the intervening years the “funding” of these so called “group leaders”” and “”new boards of directors”” have been the CAUSATIVE FACTORS OF SO MUCH PAIN AND GRIEF BEING INFLICTED UNNECESSARILY UPON EXISTING AND LIVING SURVIVORS. SHE MUST ACT, and hopefully, better than she did at the Commission To Inquire Into Child Abuse.
Perhaps a GARDA INVESTIGATION into the numbers being flouted by ROP as their membership data WOULD BE A GOOD STARTING POINT FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO START CLEARING THIS MESS UP.
Why are the lists of names supposed to be confidential.?????so confidential that thay can not inform us as to if we are part of thier database.Whats there to protect now after all these years of trying to get what we are owed. Idont think that many survivers have been giving the impressionthat nothing was going on .Its affected us all our lives and now its still going on thanks to the way the groups have treated the survivers. we would be better of all of us stopping this pretending to offer healing .Thay are not qualified. Its dangerous putting this into the hands of amaters.
Damned good question Paddy. I bet not. Maybe they have a damned good reason for not, would you think??????????
I had asked some time ago to have my name and details removed from The Database of Right of Place, when the previous regime was in power. I was assured personally by Mr Noel C Barry that it would be done. only to receive more newsletters some time afterwards. I forwarded a complaint to the Freedom of Information Offices, who gave me some excuse issued by Right of Place, Not that i believed them for one minute.
The Article in todays Irish Examiner speaks for itself. Survivors who are not even based in this country found their names on the Database of Right of Place. How weird is that. One Lady, in her 70s, residing in the United States, requested to have her name removed from their Database, as she never gave anyone permission to be added to it in 2009, and to this day, she still receives correspondence from Right of Place. ????
The only person, she gave her details to, was a Solicitor who travelled in The US with the Charity’s founder, Mr Noel C Barry.
So really i don’t think it will be too difficult to find out, who indeed that Solicitor was. I could nearly guess??? I would suggest, that Lady contact The proper Authorities regarding the incident, and report the Blatant Misuse of Private and Confidential Information, in this country.
I would personally love to know where Right of Place got all their ( SO CALLED ) Database, and how it was compiled. They of course wont answer you when you request to see it. Just like everything else. They will close ranks, and you will get the silent treatment, except maybe when you hit a nerve, and someone gets a bit Nervous of your questioning. They may then tell you, the Information is Confidential, and not for Public use, and the interest of the Survivor must be protected. What a load of ( B******T.
Would it be too much to ask the HSE to maybe have a look into all this controversy, and see what is going on in this Group Right of Place, that they have been funding for so long. Do they know at all, who they are funding???? Or more so, ( DO THEY CARE?? )
Was it not Mr Walsh, who stated in a reply to me recently, that said Mr Tom Brennan had resigned from the New Board of Directors for personal reasons.?? I say to you Mr Walsh, that was a Blatant Lie, and you know it. The man could obviously see what kind of way the whole place was being run, and most likely did not agree with the carrying on of someone on the Board. He did the honorable thing being the Honest man that he is, and resigned. Which Mr Walsh, is what you should have done.
He stated in todays Irish Examiner, that he ( DID NOT ) resign for personal reasons. So who, Mr Walsh is Lying?? I certainly know, who i would believe.
No need either for attacking The Irish Examiner for keeping Survivors informed of the goings on in that place Mr Walsh, because you certainly don’t, and the only people who are hurting Survivors Sir, is you lot in Right of Place, don’t be trying to pass the buck onto the Irish Examiner.
Once again, i would URGE, anyone who has any inclination, that Right of Place, in Lower Glanmire Road, may have any information concerning them, that they did not give to Right of Place, to have it Removed at once, and also, to ( INSIST ) they receive a personalized signed letter from that ( So Called Company ) that their details have been removed as requested.
Questions abound! The most important being has the HSE ever even asked to see the list of people ROP claims to represent. Have they even asked themselves the question “Who are we funding?” Maybe it’s time to make an inquiry. Paddy.
Hi Paddy,I agree with you , and I would hazard a guess that the 1500 member’s consist of many whose name’s were hijacked from various source’s. And include,many that have withdrawn their name’s,(but are still used),many that ,sadly have passed on, and their family’s still receive mail shot’s etc.
I am aware that their current chairman, Michael Walsh, view’s this site of yours Paddy, so I would welcome it if Mr Walsh would be so kind as
to provide proof of the membership he claim’s to have at ROP, and to represent!
Of course , he most likely will say that information is private, but I would like to see the Education Dept, and the HSE DEMAND SIGHT OF THEIR CURRENT LIST OF MEMBER’S, BEFORE PARTING WITH ANY MORE FUND’S!
Jimmy
If it’s true that Right of Place has 1,500 members I will eat my hat. Where did this organisation get its members from. Could it be that it’s just a figment of someone’s imagination or the use of people’s names who want nothing whatever to do with Right of Place. I find it strange that the number of members they CLAIM to have is 1500 – not 1,499 or 1,501!