Row over abuse memorial

THE prospects of a “people’s memorial” for the victims of industrial schools and clerical sex abuse being erected in Ennis, Co Clare, received a blow yesterday.

It follows an announcement by Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh, that the diocese intends to erect its own memorial for all victims of abuse.

A fundraising campaign is continuing in support of a people’s memorial by local artist Barry Wrafter.

The campaign was launched after Ennis Town Council said it did not have the finances to fund the €61,000 memorial and, instead, would erect a plaque.

When asked yesterday if the diocese would contributing to the fund, Bishop Walsh said: “That memorial is very specific... as it only commemorates the victims of industrial schools and the clergy.

He added: “I don’t seek for a moment to minimise the Church’s own culpability and I am not in any way objecting to the other memorial. I commend the people involved and I would be supportive as an individual, but I believe that all of the victims of abuse should be commemorated and that includes victims of industrial schools, clerical abuse and victims of abuse within families.”

Artist Barry Wrafter said: “I was planning to seek funding from the diocese for the memorial but now it seems that the diocese wants to erect its own memorial on its own terms.”