Abuse Threw Ireland into Darkness, Lurgan Mail, June 29, 2009

Abuse "Threw Ireland into Darkness"

Lurgan Mail
June 29, 2009

http://www.lurganmail.co.uk/latest-irish-news/Abuse-threw-Ireland-into-darkness.5408786.jp

President Mary McAleese

Those who abused children in church-run institutions diminished our society and plunged the country into a terrible darkness, President Mary McAleese has said.

Almost 300 victims visited Aras An Uachtarain where Ms McAleese said their experiences had highlighted the state's failure to cherish all its children. High-profile acts including Phil Coulter, Mary Black and a Riverdance troupe performed during the function, hosted to recognise the suffering and bravery of the survivors.

Ms McAleese said: "For so long your suffering seemed to make strangers of you in your own land. Today, we simply seek to be family to each other, to assert our common care for one another and to acknowledge that what was done to those of you who are survivors of abuse in institutional care, not only damaged your precious lives but diminished our society. Those who switched off the light of love and hope in your lives, plunged our country into a terrible darkness."