Report is ‘an insult to the survivors’ of institutions

By Maurice Garvey

SURVIVORS of institutions were full of hope in the lead-up to the second interim report of the Commission on Mother and Baby homes.

Many told The Echo in the weeks leading up to the publication of the report on Tuesday, that they believed Minister for Children Katherine Zappone was “taking her time to ensure it was done right”.

They were to be disappointed.

Immediate redress for thousands of women and unaccompanied children in mother and baby homes has been rejected by the Government who concluded that “it is not possible to implement it”.

“She built up our hopes,” said Clondalkin man David Kinsella, who was born in St Patrick`s Mother and Baby Home and never saw his mother again.

“I thought she wanted to put this right, but the whole report is contradictory and an insult to survivors. Judge Yvonne Murphy says there is no proof of abuse and neglect, yet recommended redress.”

This view was echoed by Tallaght man Tony Kelly, who spent the first 16 years of his life in foster homes and two institutions.

Mr Kelly said: “If Judge Yvonne Murphy found no evidence of abuse from the 600 people who appeared before her and the commission, then she has insulted over 600 abused people. And if she found no evidence of abuse then why did she recommend redress?”

Whilst Minister Zappone says she will meet with survivors before end of June, survivors doubt the practicality of this.

Mr Kinsella continued: “Over 600 survivors have already told their story to the commission. How in God`s name can she see us all before June. The evidence is already there. In the meantime, more survivors may pass away and become ill because of dashed hopes.”

Paul Redmond from the Coalition of Mother And Baby-home Survivors (CMABS) said the group reject Zappone`s “dishonest dismissal of the inquiry`s strong recommendation of immediate redress to an elderly and dying survivor community.”

He said: “The Governments behaviour in hiding this vital report for several months is a national disgrace and their shameful decision to viciously refuse an apology and redress to an aging survivor community is a black mark on many of our politicians and Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister Zappone and the cabinet in particular.”

Minister Zappone said she had consulted in great detail with the Taoiseach, Attorney General and other Ministers before reaching a conclusion.

The Minister said her focus will now be on assisting those who were unaccompanied as children in Mother and Baby Homes and county homes with a view to offering supports that will be of genuine and practical value.

Survivors plan to protest outside the Dáil and at the Inquiry of Commission offices on Baggot Street.