Hunger striker tells of abuse 'nightmare' by Brothers
Tuesday November 30 2004
Dubliner Tom Sweeney has settled his case against the State and Christian Brothers for €150,000 and an apology from the order. The State has paid €113,000 of the total.
The balance of €37,000 is to be paid by the Christian Brothers.
Mr Sweeney was originally offered €113,000 for abuse he suffered at residential institutions in Artane Industrial School and St Joseph's Industrial School, Salthill, Co Galway in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
But this was reduced to €67,000 when he told his story to the Redress Board. Eventually the State through Education Minister Noel Dempsey agreed to "reactivate" the original High Court action and allow a financial settlement to be made.
Tom said on radio yesterday: "It's something I will never forget. The experience I had will never leave my system. I was asked to make a statement nine years ago in 1995 when six brothers were charged."
Tom said his compensation was taken away from him because the Redress Board was set up. "I went on a hunger strike because the Redress Board said 'sign that paper but you can't speak about it'.
"I said no, that's not the way it's to run for me.
"I should have spoken about it in July 2000 in the High Court in front of a judge and jury. I said I wanted to speak about it.
"I thought the Redress Board was there for me to be listened to which they weren't.
"When I went in for the hearing they took €50,000 out of my €113,000 which left me with €63,000.
"From there on I thought that the people that were dealing with the whole thing were covering up everything I had to say."
Mr Sweeney said: "If others go the same route, that's up to them and their solicitors and I wish them the best of luck.
"I think at the end of the day we've all been shafted.
"I felt let down by everybody after waiting nine years for my case to be heard."
