SISTER XAVIERIA - STATEMENT OF 20 PAST PUPILS

[ I think that the reason over 20 of Sister Xavieria's past pupils got a solicitor to write a letter on their behalf is that the media refused to listen to them. In an article in the Irish Times on 19 March 1996, Michael Foley wrote:

"For the media it was a story of goodies and baddies, with no room for subtleties. The apology from the Mercy Sisters was considered to be sufficient comment from the nuns. The media were content to repeat the allegations in the film ['Dear Daughter'] and concern themselves with finding more such horror stories.

The nuns had to ask to go on air. Sister Helena Donoghue, the spokeswoman for the Mercy Sisters requested that she be allowed to take part in a Kenny Live programme.

A number of women tried to interest the media in their different accounts of life in Goldenbridge. One reporter is alleged to have said to women who phoned that they had to be "pets" and he was not interested in their story."

Indeed this is the sort of thing we have come to expect from our "investigative reporters". They make up their conclusions first and then try to find evidence to support same. And if there is no evidence, they invent it. ARE HISTORIANS ANY DIFFERENT?

Rory Connor
23 December 2007]

Orphanage Care - Letter to Irish Times, 6 March 1996

Sir,
I have been instructed by a large group of past pupils of St Kyran's, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow to issue the following statement on their behalf. Please note that I have the signatures of over 20 people to this statement.

"We are a large group of past pupils from St Kyran's Rathdrum during the period of 1960-1989. We wish to express our deepest concern and upset at recent media reports about Sr Xaveria. She is not a cruel person.

Our experience of Sr Xaveria would be very different to what has been reported about her. Sr Xaveria was unreservedly 100 per cent dedicated to her work with the children and this is evident in the changes she brought about in St Kyran's during her years working there i.e., group homes.

She had to have discipline with over 100 children in her care, both boys and girls. She had a lot of responsibility and we feel dealt with them in a proper manner.

She is a kind caring person who wanted and did the best of everything for the children. She gave us anything that was possible to give us.

Yours, etc.,

James J. Binchy, Solicitor, Balleece, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow.