End Bethany’s stain on Ireland’s character now

Unlike Derek Leinster, (letters, Dec 14), I am not a product of the Bethany Home but I nonetheless feel outraged at the treatment these children received and a sense of anger at my powerlessness.

The disgrace called Bethany has been in the public domain for 14 years now, primarily as a result of the unrelenting persistence of Mr Leinster’s marathon campaign for justice. It is not just government who have long-armed this issue, but some in positions of trust, power and influence in the Church are also complicit.

Does the Minister for Children Ms Frances Fitzgerald possess the real values of her ministry and will she be the one to end this stain on Ireland’s character?