Survivor is ‘dismayed’ at commission’s excuse
By Maurice Garvey
Covid-19 is attributed as a key factor in the latest delay for the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes final report, but survivors are not buying it.
The final report due on June 26 has been pushed back to October 30.
David Kinsella and Terri Harrison
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone, said the Commission has been “hampered in completing their report” by the end of this month due to Covid-19.
Clondalkin resident David Kinsella, who was born at St Patrick’s Mother and Baby home, is “dismayed” at the “Commission’s excuse”.
“It seems ironic that in Belfast, the government there during the height of Covid-19 were able to give a fast track redress for survivors and rightly so as they have been waiting as long as survivors of Mother and Baby homes in the south of Ireland,” said Mr Kinsella.
“The commission works in a building that has plenty of conference type rooms, well equipped to adhere to safety guidelines. It is like a life sentence for survivors and I am disgusted that not one of the incoming government blinked an eye regarding our ploy for justice.”
Terri Harrison, a Director of the Christine Buckley Centre, asks the government with a “saddened heart – to explain why this report could not be published as scheduled for June 26.
Terri’s son, baby Niall
“All their promises of changes in a new coalition, yet not a whisper of us forgotten Irish,” said Ms Harrison, a Parkwest resident, who gave birth in Bessborough Mother and Baby home in 1973, whereupon her firstborn son was taken from her hands.
“Some mothers are now in their mid-eighties. Waiting to make their peace to slip away knowing they did no wrong. Our leaders blame the delay on the virus but this report can be electronically published. Why are they abusing us all over again?”
Cllr Francis Timmons said the next government must deal with the issues that survivors have been fighting for.
“It is my belief that we need a state museum and state apology that says loud and clear that the woman did no wrong.”
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