Behind Closed Doors

~ beetleypete

I recently came across this article. It is very long, and very upsetting to read.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/criminal-court/munster-abuse-trial-it-was-the-quietest-house-there-was-nothing-1.4641077?utm_source=pocket-newtab-global-en-GB

**Be warned**
This is very disturbing, and contains many ‘triggers’ for some people, including child abuse and neglect.

However, I think it has to be read. This is not Victorian England. This is modern-day Ireland in the 21st century, as recently as 2018.

If you think it is incredible. I agree.
If you think it is appalling. I agree.

I worked as an EMT in london for 22 years, and I never ceased to be amazed at what happens ‘behind closed doors’.

This is proof that it is still going on, and sadly is unlikely to ever go away.

46 thoughts on “Behind Closed Doors”

  3. I am scared. I think, I will have nightmares for many coming days. I remember an old man touching me inappropriately once when I was 10, alone with him in an office. I ran away, unscathed and yet, it gave me creeps for many years. I was afraid to be alone with any man for years to come. For these children who dealt with so much sexual abuse for so many years from so many people who were supposed to protect them, one can only imagine their emotional state.
    I wish their was a way to hang them all!

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  4. Trauma from unhindered toxic abuse, sexual or otherwise, usually results in a helpless child’s brain improperly developing. If allowed to continue for a prolonged period, it can act as a starting point into a life in which the brain uncontrollably releases potentially damaging levels of inflammation-promoting stress hormones and chemicals, even in non-stressful daily routines. It has been described as a continuous, discomforting anticipation of ‘the other shoe dropping’ and simultaneously being scared of how badly you will deal with the upsetting event, which usually never transpires.

    The lingering emotional/psychological pain from such intense trauma is very formidable yet invisibly confined to inside one’s head. It is solitarily suffered, unlike an openly visible physical disability or condition, such as paralysis, a missing limb or eye, all of which tends to elicit sympathy/empathy from others. It can make every day a mental ordeal, unless the turmoil is treated with some form of medicating, either prescribed or illicit. Any resultant addiction is likely his/her attempt at silencing the anguish of PTSD symptoms through substance abuse.

    Since so much of our lifelong health comes from our childhood experiences, childhood mental health-care should generate as much societal concern and government funding as does physical health, even though psychological illness/dysfunction typically is not immediately visually observable. My own experience has revealed that notable high-scoring adverse childhood experience trauma resulting from a highly sensitive and low self-confidence introverted existence, amplified by an accompanying autism spectrum disorder, can readily lead an adolescent to a substance-abuse/self-medicating disorder.

    Like countless other people, I believe the wellbeing of all children — and not just what other parents’ children might/will cost us as future criminals or costly cases of government care, etcetera — should be of importance to us all, regardless of whether we’re doing a great job with our own developing children. A mentally sound future should be every child’s fundamental right (along with clean air, water and food), especially considering the very troubled world into which they never asked to enter.

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  6. Absolutely horrific and scary. The kind of things grown adults could do to those kids, painful!

    So many bad things like this are still ongoing somewhere in different parts of the world. People need to intervene!
    I’m glad that some teachers watch carefully and keenly. No one would have guessed that such was going on.

    I’m still in shock.

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  7. I read this. Yes, it is shocking and upsetting. I only wish it hadn’t taken so long. The father’s last statement was creepy, as if he might get the children back when they’re 18. At school I am a ‘mandated reporter’. I must report any suspected neglected or abuse. If something happened to a child and I did not report it, I would be fired on the spot. I have only had to make one report. If a teacher is accused of anything, s/he must be immediately escorted from the building until there is an investigation. Still, these things happen behind closed doors- everywhere.

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    2. Too many people will procreate regardless of their questionable ability to raise their children in a mentally healthy/functional manner. Being free nations, society cannot prevent anyone from bearing children. Society can, however, thoroughly educate all young people for the most important job ever, even those who currently plan to remain childless. … Since so much of our lifelong health comes from our childhood experiences, childhood mental health-care should generate as much societal concern and government funding as does physical health, even though psychological illness/dysfunction typically is not immediately visually observable.

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    1. This story is from Ireland, but we have many similar ones in England, Wales, and Scotland. Despite the supposedly close watch of our social services, it never stops. It’s tragic indeed, Kim.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  10. Horrific story Pete. So east to carry on in a conspiracy of silence where neighbours don’t talk and nor do families.. This was a case where it took much longer that normal to investigate, evaluate, and act.
    Hugs

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          1. I read a couple but I will read more. You have a gift for writing which makes those stories compelling. So many people who serve the public are taken for granted and sadly most of their stories remain untold. Glad I found you Pete!

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  16. A truly harrowing read and recognition that we rarely truly know what goes on in other peoples homes. The years the children were left in that environment while ‘specialist services’ gave the family time to ‘get their act together’ and demonstrate they could properly care for their children, beggars belief. I understand that parents can struggle and often their parenting style comes from the parenting they themselves received, but what a protracted process it was to get to the point of recognition that the children were not safe in their parents care. I can only hope that the children have the resilience they will need to rise above this start to their lives. Of course, it goes without saying, they will need support including therapeutic support to develop emotionally – my hope is that they receive it.

    Angie

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  17. So hard to believe it when the children were going to school, there were neighbours and the family were known about by social workers. We’re not allowed to say such things as ‘ shouldn’t be allowed to breed’ but that is what comes to mind.

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