‘A hero among heroes’

THE death of Christine Buckley last week led to an outpouring of tributes to the children’s rights campaigner.Described as a warrior, survivor, advocate and charmer, Christine Buckley was considered a hero among heroes.

She became the director of the Aislinn support and education group for survivors of Industrial Schools in Ireland after she was raised in St Vincent’s Industrial School, Goldenbridge.

Ms Buckley died at St Vincent’s Hospital following a long battle with cancer after a lifetime highlighting the abuse suffered by children in industrial schools.

She was a woman of courage and dignity who had helped to make Ireland a better place, said Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore.

“Christine suffered greatly as a child growing up in the industrial school system in the Ireland of the 1950s,” he said.

“But as an adult she played a pivotal role in shining a light on the abuse suffered by children in the industrial schools and in campaigning on behalf of the many survivors of institutional abuse.”

Ms Buckley featured in the landmark Dear Daughter documentary broadcast on RTE in 1996 that recounted the horror of her time as a child in the Sisters of Mercy-run orphanage in Goldenbridge, Dublin.

“This State was a very cold place for children such as Christine who were placed in the care of the State,” said Mr Gilmore.

“Yet Christine’s courage and dignity in speaking out has made Ireland a better place.

?

Childcare campaigner Cllr Victor Boyhan, who was placed in an orphanage in Dun Laoghaire and remained in care until the age of 17, also expressed his condolences to Ms Buckley’s family.

“I had the privilege of collaborating with Christine to advance the redress scheme for children who suffered abuse while in care,

? he said.

“She was a forthright and determined lady to the end.

“Christine inspired so many people to open up and tell their own story, sometimes resulting in great personal distress to themselves and their family.

?

Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton TD expressed her sympathy on the death of Ms Buckley, saying she was a

“truly remarkable woman whose courage knew no bounds

?.

The children’s charity Barnardos paid tribute to

“a hero among heroes

?.

“Christine will be remembered by everyone in Barnardos for her incredible bravery and honesty in telling her personal story, her relentless campaigning for justice for the survivors of institutional abuse, and her compassion and support for survivors,

? the charity said in a statement.

Frances Fitzgerald TD, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, said Christine was a courageous and consistent campaigner for child protection and children’s rights.

“As a survivor of institutional abuse, Christine led the charge to lift the veil on Ireland’s dark past and shameful legacy of child abuse,

? she said.

Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter, said that that through her courage and bravery Christine Buckley made a most important contribution to Irish society.

“By telling her story about institutional abuse, she lifted a veil on the horrors of childhood experiences in the Ireland of the past,

? Minister Shatter said.

“Her campaign for truth opened the door for other survivors of abuse to come forward with their own stories.

?