Madam, - Dr Michael Corry (May 19th) is not alone in believing that the Residential Institutions Redress Board "represents a crime against humanity" and "makes a mockery of the legal system".
I was born in the early 1940s and can honestly say it was not until the 1970s that I became vaguely aware of the bad conditions in many institutions owned and run by the religious and funded by the State. Even then I, like most of my generation, was not aware of the extent of the problem, or that the victims were entirely innocent of any wrongdoing that would merit such treatment.
But some people knew what was going on. Government Departments knew; individuals responsible for inspecting the facilities knew; and yet they did little or nothing to ensure that humane and caring conditions for our children were provided. Not only was nothing done, but it now appears that they colluded with the religious in keeping matters very secret.
Three years ago Fr Val Peter of Boys Town, Nebraska, in a letter to The Irish Times, outlined a number of attempts made during 1946 and 1947 by the founder of Boys Town, Fr Edward Flanagan, to raise awareness about the facilities that were, in his words "a disgrace to the nation". Fr Peter wrote that Fr Flanagan "was attacked by Irish officials for his attempt to raise the alarm about the appalling abuse in child-care facilities".
As a nation we ought to be outraged at acts, which can only be described as criminal, committed in our name. We cannot undo the deliberate abuse of so many children in the past, but today we cannot plead ignorance. We are now being educated by people such as Dr Corry (whom I do not know) about the intolerable treatment of those victims by the Residential Institutions Redress Board and should join with him in demanding that it ceases now. - Yours, etc,
CELINE HENRY, Sydenham Villas, Dundrum, Dublin 14.
Madam - I would very much like to comment on Dr Michael Corry's letter concerning the Residential Institutions Redress Board. However, as one who gave evidence to the board, I am prohbited from saying anything under penalty of a €25,000 fine and/or two years' imprisonment. - Yours, etc,
PADDY DOYLE, St George's Villas, Inchicore, Dublin 8.