McAleese avoided meeting victims, says Buckley

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese praised the courage of abuse victims, even though she has been criticised for “avoiding” meetings with one survivor representative in the past.

In a statement, the President said the findings of the report by the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse revealed “an atrocious betrayal of love”.

“It is shocking and shameful that so many children had to endure such appalling suffering and abuse in institutions whose obligation and vocation it was to provide them with safe and loving care,” President McAleese said.

“My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible injustice, an injustice compounded by the fact that they had to suffer in silence for so long.

“This report utterly vindicates their determination to break that silence and to have their voices heard. They are deeply courageous people who deserve the understanding and support of all of us at this very difficult time.”

However, writing this week, Christine Buckley, a former resident of the Golden Bridge orphanage in Dublin, said Ms McAleese and former Presidential candidate Austin Currie, “found excuses to avoid meetings”. Requesting support from political parties for an inquiry and for the provision of counselling and education for victims of abuse, Ms Buckley said: “Austin Currie, then Minister for Children in John Bruton’s government found excuses to avoid meetings, as has his fellow Northerner, President Mary McAleese.

Yesterday Ms Buckley said: “The words of the religious and the State ring hollow to us as the hurt is so great.

“I look forward to hearing a full response from the State to the report,” she said.