In Memory of Mary Raftery
We are all saddened this morning by the untimely death of the journalist Mary Raftery and we extend our deepest sympathy to her family.
Through her documentaries and writing Mary highlighted the appalling treatment of vulnerable children and adults by both State and Catholic Church in modern Ireland. Without her work we may never have known of the role of the Catholic hierarchy in the systemic cover-up of the sexual abuse of children, or of the cruelty inflicted on generations of children in the care of the State by members of religious orders. Her recent series of documentaries of the psychiatric system is another example of her commitment to ensuring that gross abuses of power be revealed and that victims should be afforded a voice.
Mary worked tirelessly to ensure that those who experienced injustice and exclusion be remembered and honoured by society. She modelled for us all what it is possible to achieve with talent, courage and tenacity. The best memorial to this outstanding journalist would be to find within ourselves those same qualities of commitment and audacity and to follow Mary’s lead in working towards a society where all citizens are equally valued.
Maeve Lewis
Comments (3)
RIP Mary. Tenacious and Courageous Journalist.
AndrewSB49 at 14:04 on 10 January 2012
May we add our sincere and heartfelt thanks for the life and work of Mary Raftery, and express condolences to her family? Please, is there a condolence book online? Blessings and thanks.
SCCG at 07:59 on 13 January 2012
Thanks to both of you for your kind words. Mary will be greatly missed by all of us.
SCCG, unfortunately we are not aware of any online book of condolences.
One In Four at 09:43 on 13 January 2012