In 2003 I whistle-blew abuse of learning disabled people at the Brothers of Charity Galway. after which, with prolonged lobbying by myself To Jan Sullivan TD, Kathleen Lynch TD, Alan Shatter TD, all at that time in opposition...and to journalists, especially to Patsy McGarry of the Irish Times who 'blew' the case, there was renewed efforts to get the Healy report, which became the McCoy report (when Healy resigned for personal reasons?) completed.
McCoy
It took 9 years!
After that the Hynes report looking into WHY it took 9 years was published. This was an inquiry about the inquiry (only in Ireland!)
In the light of the Aras Attracta case and the Waterford Foster care case we need to examine - 'Has ANYTHING changed?'
Some of the HSE personnel involved at the time of the Brothers of Charity abuse case are still around.
Indeed some of the politicians namely Kathleen Lynch was certainly vocal in opposition about abuse of learning disabled people yet when in power herself seemed to lose grip of the issues, if she was interested at all...since now we find she and her colleagues DID know about abuse in the foster care case in Waterford a few years ago, yet only now does the public know about it through yet again, two whistle blowers.
Is it the case that Kathleen Lynch merely used the Brother of Charity case as political fodder in her back bench role and search for power? I have a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach that the opposition FG ministers were doing just that...for why did Kathleen Lynch not as vigorously take up the cudgel for the foster care victims when in power as she did for the Galway victims as backbencher? does power silence politicians? it seems so.
Very quickly after the McCoy report and the Hynes report, things went very quiet. 2010 this committee meeting in the Oireachtas seems to be the last discussion.
But as you read this committee proceedings you could be lulled into a false sense of security that the HSE had now learned its lessons in 2010. Just read the positive slant on all they are allegedly doing.
Did it last only during the furore of the Brother of Charity case? For only as long as there was public scrutiny?
We also know that the HSE and the Brothers of Charity published an additional report at the time 'The Murphy & Mulvihill report' which was an exploration of Client Protection procedures at the Brothers of Charity. Indeed McCoy himself set this exploration going as part of his remit as chair of the inquiry.
Within that, the HSE and Brothers of Charity tried to besmirch my professional reputation and only 11 years later, after legal proceedings 2014, was I exonerated and both agencies had to apologise publically and offer compensation.
Journalists might like to know that Breda Mulvihill co-editor of the HSE report that besmirched me is still employed by the HSE and was. I believe, though I know little of her role there, one HSE official involved in the investigation of the Waterford foster care case.
It seems to me that if you are party to publishing untrue information about a whistle blower in a HSE inquiry report, thus besmirching the reputation of the professional, and found by inquiry (the Brophy report) to have unfairly done so. you should face disciplinary sanction. but no, not in the HSE.
for all that the HSE said at the oireachtas committee back in 2010 there has been scandal after scandal of abuse of learning disabled people in Ireland. and still covered up by power, and the abuse of disabled people living in community by Hse personnel is still uncovered as a brotherhood/sisterhood of HSE collegiality stronger than the Catholic Church exists. the culture has not changed.
so the journalists might like to ponder that even though the McCoy report/the Hynes Report / Murphy & Mulvihill Report , was SUPPOSED to shake up protection from abuse of learning disabled people in Ireland , that just as the Waterford case was unfolding I was STILL fighting through solicitors with the HSE over their public report 'murphy & Mulvihill' which attempted to destroy my reputation.
does this really sound like the HSE are taking whistle blowers seriously? That abuse is taken seriously?
Does this sound like the HSE and Government have truly changed in attitude towards the abuse of learning disabled people? or other disabled people?
Do we find rather than the HSE existing for sick and vulnerable people, in truth it only exists for itself?
to preserve their jobs, their power, their position?
for the lack of transparency, openness, and accountability only proves a inward looking institution unwillingly for scrutiny.
That STILL ...in order to uncover abuse of learning disabled people in Ireland we must rely on whistle blowers and covert cameras by undercover reporters (Aras Attracta) .
Even HIQA , an organisation I applaud for uncovering abuse in residential care are not doing enough. Or maybe I should say, not 'allowed' do enough! Where are the resources to truly protect people who have disabilities and are preyed upon by abusive professionals within the ranks of care? and not only in residential care, disabled people are experiencing abuse by HSE professionals even in the community.
That, whistle blowers who are professionals, despite legal protection, are STILL viewed as pariahs within the safety field.
That patients and clients, family members are all covertly 'punished' for complaining. Given a worse HSE ride and service when they don't like what is happening and say so.
My view has always been that whistle-blowing is the last port of call for a professional and a profound ethical duty. There is no other more moral position a professional MUST take. there is no choice.
So as we approach the elections be under no illusion, politics is not about protecting people, Kathleen Lynch , of all ministers had extensive experience as backbencher throughout the Brother of Charity case , yet in power appears to have 'sat on' information about the Waterford Foster care case.
What did she know, why was no action taken?
Are we yet a 'modern' nation, where we take seriously abuse of disabled people. No, we are not, because the FG/Lab government again sat on and refused to ratify the UN convention on the human rights of disabled people. 10 years waiting and STILL in 'modern Ireland' (sic) as we 'celebrate' our 1916 'freedom', one group of citizens namely disabled people, are abused and have little protection.
They are not free .
What am I celebrating in the 1916 celebrations?
NOTHING.
