Letter to the Limerick Leader

Sir,

I was sad to read of the death of Mr Peter McCloskey. He and his family must have had a very difficult time in the past few years.
Victim Support, whether it be One in Four or any of the other Groups such as my own, Alliance have a responsibility to ensure that all those who contact us are given the best Professional Help available to them. In Peter's case was this done?
All too often we hear of criticism about the Church and its methods. In the Case of Peter McCloskey we see at first hand the failures of the Support System. It serves no purpose to continue to blame the Church. One in Four too must begin to question their role.

Groups do have a part to play in support of those who as Children were abused by Church people or when in Institutions. We must exercise this support carefully and honestly. The way that we in the Alliance have achieved this is to ensure that only the Statutory Bodied in the Health Board Areas who have the expertise deal with the serious issues for each individual.

The Catholic Church too has a part to play in this Support. We asked this of them in 2003 without any success What the Church have been doing is selectively financing some groups while ignoring others. It is difficult to understand the reasons for this. Government, and the Church must look again at this form of Victim Support to see how best it can be delivered if we are to bring closure to those still looking for answers.

Tom Hayes
30 Castle Gardens
Richhill
Co Armagh BT 61 9QL

Telephone (04838)871708
Fax: (04838)871676
Mobile: (0044) 7974002336