Christine Buckley's Son Praises Bod for Lifting Mother's Spirits in Her Final Days

By Melanie Finn
Irish Independent
March 11, 2014

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/christine-buckleys-son-praises-bod-for-lifting-mothers-spirits-in-her-final-days-30082901.html

Christine Buckley and her son Conor

Conor Buckley, the son of Christine Buckley, the courageous campaigner for victims of institutional abuse, thanked Brian O'Driscoll for lifting his mother's spirits during her long-term illness.

Mrs Buckley campaigned tirelessly on behalf of victims of institutional abuse for more than 25 years.

She passed away this morning from cancer.

Earlier this week, her son Conor wrote a poignant Facebook post thanking O' Driscoll for his kindness to his mother during the late stages of her illness over the last seven months.

"We all know how good Brian O'Driscoll is on the pitch," he began.

"But the true mark of this legend is what he does for others.

"He dedicates so much time to Temple Street hospital and other charities.

Last night summed him up for me. He heard my mum was in hospital and he rang her up to cheer her up," Conor added.

"Four months ago he surprised her and called up to our house to have a cup of tea and a chat. Both these gestures completely transformed my mum's spirits.

"We will never see the likes of him again."

Mrs Buckley was the daughter of a Nigerian medical student and a married Dublin woman. She was abandoned at three weeks old and subsequently brought up in the Goldenbridge orphanage.

She was one of the first people to go public about her experience of abuse, and she campaigned tirelessly for more than 25 years on behalf of other survivors of institutional abuse.

Her husband Donal told Newstalk's Pat Kenny this morning that his beloved wife's proudest achievement was her work with the Aislinn Centre.

Mr Buckley said his wife had battled cancer for many years, but it returned again last September.

"She'd been battling with shingles and then battling with the return of cancer after remission again since September."

"Before that, she'd had cancer over 30 years."

"She was in remission until 13 or 14 years ago until she got breast cancer. She was in various stages of remission since then but unfortunately she wasn't able to fight anymore."

Mrs Buckley helped many people to gain a basic - or in some cases third level - education through the centre, which she co-founded.