Limerick Industrial School Survivor Calls for All-ireland Day's Minute Silence, Norma Prendiville, Limerick Leader, August 6, 2009

Limerick Industrial School Survivor Calls for All-ireland Day's Minute Silence

By Norma Prendiville
Limerick Leader
August 6, 2009

http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/Limerick-industrial-school-survivor-calls.5529677.jp

Tom Wall

TOM Wall, a survivor of abuse at Glin Industrial School, believes there should be a minute's silence at this year's All-Ireland finals in recognition of the suffering and injustice endured by the thousands of boys and girls who were incarcerated in industial schools over more than a century.

"It would mean a lot to everybody," Mr Wall said this week.

"A minute's silence in Croke Park would be a recognition of the fact that this is the year the Ryan report on abuse in industrial schools was published - and that no-one can any longer deny what happened in those places," Mr Wall continued.

It could also, he suggested, be accompanied by a flag at half-mast in memory of those who died in such schools or who have since died.

Moreover, Mr Wall pointed out, the Artane Boys Band has been synonymous with All-Ireland final day for many years. "In the past, many boys sent to Artane suffered horrific abuse," he said.

Such a symbolic gesture would carry additional weight, Mr Wall believes, because President McAleese would be present, "somebody who is well aware of the issues" and who has done her bit to acknowledge the suffering endured in institutions.

All-Ireland finals are broadcast not just nationally but internationally, Mr Wall pointed out , something which would be important given that so many survivors fled this country when released.

Mr Wall also supported the idea of a memorial to those who were abused as promised last week by Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews.

"It should be in O'Connell Street in Dublin," Mr Wall said, but added that a plaque or memorial of some kind should also be erected in other places, including in Glin.

Minister Andrews last week unveiled the Government's Implementation Plan which contains 99 specific "actions" as a response to the recommendations contained in the Ryan Report.

'We can never compensate the survivors of abuse for their lost childhoods," the Minister said. "The State must now and in the future, deliver care services that nurture and support children."

Among the "actions" identified in the report was the provision of additional counseling and therapy services for survivors. But Mr Wall said such help was coming too late for many.

"The real response wasn't given when it was needed," he said, pointing out that many survivors have still, to this day, not disclosed to their families the extent of their abuse. "I know a lot of lads who were so affected by what happened them, they never even went to the Redress Board."

However, he welcomed the invitation to survivors to contact the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to have the circumstances of their committal looked at - and a certificate issued.