Tánaiste Says State Owes 'Debt of Gratitude'

By Eoin Burke-Kennedy
Irish Times
January 11, 2012

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0111/1224310102620.html

SENIOR FIGURES from the world of politics and journalism as well as abuse survivors and clerics have paid tribute to the late journalist and broadcaster Mary Raftery.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore said the country owed Ms Raftery "a debt of gratitude" for exposing the physical and sexual abuse that had been suffered by children over decades at the hands of the State and church. Speaking on behalf of the Government, he said her work had "uncovered the truth, even when it was a truth that a lot of people did not want to hear".

The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, said her work in exposing the cover-up behind clerical abuse had made the Catholic Church "a better place" for children. "Bringing the truth out is always a positive thing even though it may be a painful truth," Dr Martin said.

He said her latest documentary on the history of Ireland's psychiatric hospitals showed Ms Raftery had a passion for exposing what was going on "behind all the walls" of Irish society.

President Michael D Higgins had written to Ms Raftery's family to express his condolences, his spokeswoman said.

Irish Times editor Kevin O'Sullivan described Ms Raftery as "the outstanding investigative journalist of her generation".

"Her journalism over many years of broadcasting on RTÉ and in print, not least for some time on the pages of The Irish Times, fearlessly exposed the gross failures of church and State in looking after some of the most vulnerable and damaged people in Irish society."

RTÉ director general Noel Curran said Ms Raftery's journalism was defined by determination and fearlessness. "She has left an important legacy for Irish society, particularly for some of our most vulnerable citizens."

Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald said Ms Raftery had played an essential role in the opening up of Ireland to its child protection duties.

Ms Raftery's passing also drew tributes from abuse survivors.

Campaigner Andrew Madden said she had been instrumental in helping many survivors expose the truth about what the church and others knew about the sexual abuse of children by priests.

Fellow abuse survivor Colm O'Gorman, who set up the One In Four support group, said Ms Raftery presented the public with difficult, disturbing, challenging facts in a non-aggressive way which revealed the simple truths in society.

John Kelly of Irish Survivors of Child Abuse said news of Ms Raftery's death was a cause of deep sadness for all survivors.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said she was an inspirational journalist. Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams described her as "a fearless campaigner and seeker for truth and justice".