A Canadian human rights activist and child abuse whistleblower today joined with Irish survivors at a Dáil rally demanding redress for victims.
Kevin Annett, from Vancouver, who was invited to address the rally by the Templemore Forgotten Victims’ Group, said abuse was an international problem and the world should unite to speak out.
Mr Annett was presented with children’s shoes representing the children who suffered at the hands of clerical abusers.
“This is for the children who died, and the children who continue to suffer, so no more will suffer,” he told protesters.
The victims said a brief prayer for those died in the institutions and who suffered abuse from paedophile priests.
“For 20 years now in Canada I’ve been working with the survivors of the Catholic and Protestant boarding schools. And you hear the same stories all the time. The same crimes, the same murders and unfortunately the same cover-up,” Mr Annett said.
“Since we’re facing really the same international problem, you feel the need to unite across borders to let people know that you’re not alone.” Rosaleen Rogers, of the Templemore Forgotten Victims Group, called for a public inquiry into what went on inside institutions.
“The harm that was done to me, I just want to find out the truth of it, and I want some form of redress".
“I want a public inquiry and I think that evidence should be given on oath.”
Her husband Roy said it was disgraceful that TDs would not come out and meet them during the protest.
“Why is there someone from the Government out here, listening to what we’re saying? They’re probably hiding. What are they afraid of?"
“The Church and the Government have an awful lot to answer for.”
PA