Family of author dispute accounts of father’s abuse

THE family of a Dublin woman, whose autobiography is a best-seller in Ireland and Britain, yesterday publicly disputed allegations in the book that the author was beaten and abused by her father.

Five brothers and two sisters of Kathleen O’Beirne yesterday expressed hurt at what they claim are false allegations she has made about her family along with claims she suffered years of physical and sexual abuse while resident in a series of institutions run by religious orders.

“The anger and frustration we feel at seeing our father branded worldwide as a horrific abuser is indescribable,” said the author’s sister Margaret.