Survivors seek panel to investigate abuse

By Fiach Kelly Political Correspondent

Friday April 16 2010

SURVIVORS of abuse at psychiatric institutions yesterday demanded a truth commission be set up to investigate their claims that they were abused while in care.

At a protest outside Leinster House, the Templemore Forgotten Victims group was backed in their call by Reverend Kevin Annett, an international campaigner against clerical and institutional abuse.

The group was founded by Dr Rosaleen Rogers, who comes from the Tipperary town.

“I was detained as a teenager in Clonmel Mental Hospital,” Dr Rogers (65) said.

“At one point I weighed only four stone. I have not been able to keep food down for 40 years. I have not been able to get work because I have had to keep to a liquid diet — it has ruined my life.

“I have lost everything and I want a truth commission to establish the truth of what happened to me and others. I want to know who harmed me,” she said.

Vancouver-based campaigner Rev Annett added the same type of crimes had happened in Canada and the same kind of cover-up was going on.

– Fiach Kelly Political Correspondent

Irish Independent

 

5 Responses to “Survivors seek panel to investigate abuse”

  1. Paddy says:

    All queries relating to the Residential Statutory Trust Fund should be addressed to the Department of Education and Skills for now. Their contact details can be found on the http://www.irlgov.ie (Irish Government) website. I hope this is of some help to you.

  2. cora brooks says:

    I would like to know what you can apply for? under this trust fund or do you? As a person who received a very low award because I said the nun was nice at time also the fact I could read and write. I appealed and it was not changed.

    Can I apply to this trust fund as a child who was abused in a mental hospital?

    Cora Brooks

  3. Paddy says:

    Cora. This is not a group as such but a forum for posting comments. There may well be someone who will see your comment that may be able to help you. The Redress Board that was making compensation to people who were abused is closing of applications in mid-September. You might consider contacting the HSE directly and naming the hospital that you were in. That’s obviously a private matter for you. A “Truth Commission” has been suggested by some people but I don’t see that happening in the near future, if ever. Paddy

  4. cora brooks says:

    Hi I would be interested in hearing or joining this group as I have been abused as a child while detain in a mental hospital. I would like a redress against the HSE and my story told. If this group still meets or if the government sets up the truth commission I would love to give my account.

    Cora

  5. Dove Ui Dalaigh says:

    Who where the Nazi’s? Did they win? What happened to Christianity? where is Justice?

    Abuse a person mentally or in any other fashion and then claim they are crazy and insane for reacting to the Abuse. Just like Paddy. Who is Crazy now Government and Church State. Obviously since Hitler was born a Catholic and most of his conclave where, say no more after his collaboration with Pius. where the Church would be the supreme religion in the New world Nazi Order.