Pauline Mellon with a piece on the current Sinn Fein sexual abuse scandal. Pauline Mellon is a rights activist in the North West and blogs at The Diary Of A Derry Mother. The article featured on her blog on 23 October 2014.



Máiría Cahill


I have been following the bravery of Belfast woman Máiría Cahill, closely. The recent revelations that came via the BBC Spotlight programme have sparked a lot of interest but mostly fury.

I met Máiría Cahill, two years ago when she came to live in Derry. Prior to that, through a mutual friend we became acquainted via Facebook. Through our chats I could sense that Máiría, was somewhat of a solitary person who took comfort in the company of her family and a select few, which was hardly surprising considering her suffering and the struggle she faced. On a personal level I have always been moved by Máiría's courage, persevering spirit, strength of character and indomitable spirit.

Máiría Cahill was let down by members of the Republican Movement, the State and those in the community who turned their backs on her. It is exactly these attitudes that keep and kept the perpetrators of such monstrous acts free to hurt again.

Furthermore some including those who claimed to be representative of the people felt it best to keep Máiría's issue hidden, or depending on your view, in house. It is unbelievable that anyone could feel it was appropriate to take an abused child to 'face' her alleged abuser? But then this type of activity was exposed before in the case of Aine Tyrell. I would also add that it defies logic that someone could feel it appropriate to advise an abused child to seek counseling and then fail to inform the police or take action themselves? And the two people I'm referencing in these instances are both elected representatives!

Now just when you think you've heard it all....

It was announced a few days ago that the investigation into abuse that took place in the Kincora boys home in Belfast will not be part of a UK wide investigation. What needs to be questioned is why this case is subject to exclusion with Belfast supposedly part of the United Kingdom?

The Stormont assembly recently backed a motion that said allegations MI5 had been involved in covering up abuse at the Kincora boys home could not be adequately investigated in any way other than by a Westminster-led UK inquiry.

However, British Secretary of State Theresea Villiers stated on Tuesday that as child protection is now a devolved matter, the Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) Inquiry, currently sitting at Banbridge courthouse was the better forum to investigate the allegations. Theresa Villiers also said the UK government and its agencies, including the Ministry of Defence and the security service MI5 would give the HIA inquiry "the fullest possible degree of co-operation". The fullest possible degree of co-operation, doesn't really inspire confidence, and really don't be surprised if a public immunity interest certificate appears.

With MI5's alleged involvement in the cover up of this scandal how can there be a thorough investigation? MI5 are unaccountable to the institutions set up under devolution therefore these claims cannot be investigated by anyone outside of the British Government. And if by a chance Mi5 was found culpable in the abuse that took place through Kincora, I feel I can safely say that there is a snowballs chance in hell of anyone being taken to task for it.

The question now is how far will the state and those now is positions of power go to protect themselves? People have always known that the there was a dirty war taking place in the North, the terrifying thing is that we will never know the extent of it.

Clint Massey

What we do know and take some comfort from is that through the bravery of people such as Clint Massey Cahill and Kincora survivor Clint Massey, the innocent victims who were caught in a crossfire that didn't contain a single bullet do have some hope of getting justice and closure they deserve.


And for that I am grateful for their courage, as for the others, who covered up abuse, protected abusers and terrified the survivors of abuse, they're just two sides of the same vile coin.

Two Sides of the Same Coin!

Pauline Mellon with a piece on the current Sinn Fein sexual abuse scandal. Pauline Mellon is a rights activist in the North West and blogs at The Diary Of A Derry Mother. The article featured on her blog on 23 October 2014.



Máiría Cahill


I have been following the bravery of Belfast woman Máiría Cahill, closely. The recent revelations that came via the BBC Spotlight programme have sparked a lot of interest but mostly fury.

I met Máiría Cahill, two years ago when she came to live in Derry. Prior to that, through a mutual friend we became acquainted via Facebook. Through our chats I could sense that Máiría, was somewhat of a solitary person who took comfort in the company of her family and a select few, which was hardly surprising considering her suffering and the struggle she faced. On a personal level I have always been moved by Máiría's courage, persevering spirit, strength of character and indomitable spirit.

Máiría Cahill was let down by members of the Republican Movement, the State and those in the community who turned their backs on her. It is exactly these attitudes that keep and kept the perpetrators of such monstrous acts free to hurt again.

Furthermore some including those who claimed to be representative of the people felt it best to keep Máiría's issue hidden, or depending on your view, in house. It is unbelievable that anyone could feel it was appropriate to take an abused child to 'face' her alleged abuser? But then this type of activity was exposed before in the case of Aine Tyrell. I would also add that it defies logic that someone could feel it appropriate to advise an abused child to seek counseling and then fail to inform the police or take action themselves? And the two people I'm referencing in these instances are both elected representatives!

Now just when you think you've heard it all....

It was announced a few days ago that the investigation into abuse that took place in the Kincora boys home in Belfast will not be part of a UK wide investigation. What needs to be questioned is why this case is subject to exclusion with Belfast supposedly part of the United Kingdom?

The Stormont assembly recently backed a motion that said allegations MI5 had been involved in covering up abuse at the Kincora boys home could not be adequately investigated in any way other than by a Westminster-led UK inquiry.

However, British Secretary of State Theresea Villiers stated on Tuesday that as child protection is now a devolved matter, the Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) Inquiry, currently sitting at Banbridge courthouse was the better forum to investigate the allegations. Theresa Villiers also said the UK government and its agencies, including the Ministry of Defence and the security service MI5 would give the HIA inquiry "the fullest possible degree of co-operation". The fullest possible degree of co-operation, doesn't really inspire confidence, and really don't be surprised if a public immunity interest certificate appears.

With MI5's alleged involvement in the cover up of this scandal how can there be a thorough investigation? MI5 are unaccountable to the institutions set up under devolution therefore these claims cannot be investigated by anyone outside of the British Government. And if by a chance Mi5 was found culpable in the abuse that took place through Kincora, I feel I can safely say that there is a snowballs chance in hell of anyone being taken to task for it.

The question now is how far will the state and those now is positions of power go to protect themselves? People have always known that the there was a dirty war taking place in the North, the terrifying thing is that we will never know the extent of it.

Clint Massey

What we do know and take some comfort from is that through the bravery of people such as Clint Massey Cahill and Kincora survivor Clint Massey, the innocent victims who were caught in a crossfire that didn't contain a single bullet do have some hope of getting justice and closure they deserve.


And for that I am grateful for their courage, as for the others, who covered up abuse, protected abusers and terrified the survivors of abuse, they're just two sides of the same vile coin.

4 comments:

  1. When I think of Kincora and cover up I immediately think of this boyo.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Oldfield

    ReplyDelete
  2. Initially, with all the witch-hunts going on regarding sexual abuse allegations I was very reluctant to take Ms Cahill at face value. Fatigue was well set in, almost to the rigor-mortis stage. On watching her on TV and reading her dad's statement I must say my doubts melted away and I found her totally believable and a credible witness.

    The only residual doubt is her refusal to go into court and strangely enough I find myself in agreement with Martin McGuinness on this one. No one should be tried by media with the underlying agenda of damaging a political leader (ADAMS). Though I think his goose is cooked for sure this time.

    The men who carried out the initial investigation ended up in court also. As did others for different investigations. I wonder do they regret conducting an investigation for the Army Council (of what exactly?). I hope that's a lesson to any other SF boyos who need to stick their chest out an odd time.

    The refusal, or a fear to face cross examination by Ms Cahill makes me wonder is there more to the story than her accusations. What does she fear being revealed in open court? On that basis I think the accusations being blanket covered by the media is a negative. But I still err on Ms Cahill's side.

    If the agenda was to sink Adams then this time he has finally been holed below the water line and could take decades of SF political advance with him. If it was to ascertain if there was a consensual relationship between a provo and a SF party member or repeated rape, then Jeremy Kyle was the place, Or court.

    ReplyDelete
  3. When the names of the Provo’s alleged by Mairia to have been in session at their version of justice the kangaroo court system rather than the one they are now screaming they wholeheartedly support the very one that Mairia maintained she would never get justice …yes you’ve got it the ever reliable Diplock system, appeared on my TV screen a story came to mind that I had heard a few years back, what I had heard back then which I think was around 2003 was thus
    A certain named high ranking member was arrested on the exact charge I am not sure, but as he was now helping the RUC with their enquires and out of the equation his second in command was confronted by a local drug dealer who handed him a bag of money, when the commander asked what was this all about the local helpful chemist replied oh that’s the money I’ve to give your Boss every month, the commander needless to say was gob smacked but sure it could have been all perfectly innocent maybe his Boss give the guy a loan and he was only making a repayment

    ReplyDelete
  4. Maria Cahill is deserving of support. She, it appears has had the abuse she say's she suffered compounded by the investigation carried out by untrained members of the Army.
    On the other hand, the use of her plight, by free-state elements, whose interest in the affairs of the six counties, extends only to what will serve their own interests, is just as reprehensible.
    I hope they are prepared to match her commitment by continuing to support her when the focus has moved to other matters.

    ReplyDelete