Norris should withdraw from race

HAVING been in practice as a psychiatrist in Ireland for the past 13 years, I have had the experience of dealing with more than hundreds of victims of child sexual abuse, teenage sexual abuse and other such crimes.

I have treated the victims to the best of my ability and have tried to explain to others why these unfortunate individuals have gone on to develop psychiatric and psychological or personality disorders.

There has never been a person who has tried to persuade me that they believe that the abuse of children, child molestation, is anything other than utterly horrific and deserving of the most severe sanctions which our Courts Service can impose.

A candidate for the highest symbolic role in the country, the person who is to represent our people for the next seven years is about to be elected by the people of our country.

What do we have to say to those who would make excuses for the abusers? Our recent reports into institutional or clerical abuse would indicate that anyone implicated in such abuse, or in the subsequent failure to assist in full disclosure, is unworthy of high office.

As a result, several senior clerics resigned their positions. Many felt this was insufficient conciliatory action. And now we, as a sovereign people, have an opportunity to speak once more in defence of the innocent, the victims of abuse.

Our opinion polls tell us that we are about to elect a person who made numerous representations on behalf of a convicted sexual offender. Is this our final answer to those who ask if we will tolerate any interference with the bodily integrity of our young?

Having withdrawn from the presidential race because of his actions in support of a convicted child molester, Senator David Norris now returns at the behest of his supporters, particularly in the national media.

On behalf of my patients who continue to live their daily lives traumatised by the actions of their abusers, perpetuated by the gratuitous reporting of such abuse by the print media, in particular, I would ask Sen Norris to withdraw finally from the presidential race.

I would also ask the Irish people to be more circumspect when choosing the person to represent us all, abused and non-abused citizens of this Republic.

It is the least we can do. Anything else would be like engaging in another great act of cruel and selfish assault upon our severely injured child molestation victims.

Seán Ó Domhnaill

Consultant Psychiatrist

Castlesize Park Road

Sallins

Co Kildare