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
