Source: Royal City of Dublin Hospital dates back to 1832; now for sale but HSE state allocation of price circa euros5m for Community Health in South City

9th September 2015 and Alice Philipson for Daily Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk › News › World News › The Pope in Rome writes an article that allows me to finally understand that I was gravely ill-treated by the Roman Catholic Church.  Summoned to the Church Annulment court; questioned over hours about the most intimate of details relating to a marriage of 12 years duration; a policy of gross dishonesty among the status quo of these Canonical courts; and the total disdain to a letter from my psychiatrist to say that it was inappropriate to proceed.

The irony:  I sustained a traumatic brain injury in a horse riding accident in Zimbabwe.  The outcome a husband who mentally and emotionally ill-treated me while blatantly having affairs with other women.  1995, a two week holiday romance, he told me he did not love me anymore and that his new partner was to take my place.  I left my home for Ireland, because I was given no alternative and the outcome was that she joined him leaving Ireland for Zimbabwe.

Irony, you must ask why?  Well their relationship flourished, she became pregnant, and I presume they married.  I never contemplated seeking an Annulment for the obvious reasons, which are substantiated today in the media.  However, I engaged Gallagher Shatter as my divorce lawyers, Brian Gallagher acted on my behalf and I was granted a divorce in 2000.  Bear in mind in Ireland, divorce is no fault divorce; and what people fail to realise is that ‘there is a second bite of the cherry’ concerning Divorce in Ireland  Many files exist of this fractious divorce and I don’t want to enter into the facts.

2003 my BESS final exams at Trinity College Dublin, I found myself in the middle of a most horrendous experience.  My ex-husband sought an Annulment.  Again, enough is said.  The lever arch file in my possession tells the narrative of sheer pain and humiliation.  I did not leave Trinity with my final BESS exams. Too much trauma.  A divorce followed by a Canonical Court which as the Nullity was granted informs that the procedures could be described as more intimidating and power than in a Court of Law in Ireland or elsewhere.

Today, I feel vindicated.  There are answers.  I went to the lever arch file and I found therein much correspondence but the Degree of Nullity of Marriage (18th December 1982).

Cold and calculated it reads as follows: 

‘The above marriage has been declared null and void by the competent Ecclesiastical Tribunals as follows:

Judgement in Court of First Instance:  20th December, 2002

Confirmatory Decision in this Appeal Court: 9th August, 2004

Since no further appeal has been lodged against this decision of the Court of Appeal, the above mentioned parties are, in what concerns the law of the Catholic Church, free to contract marriage, subject to the normal requirements of Canon Law, and to what may be stated by way of “Special Conditions”.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

The Respondent, Michelle Clarke, may not enter a future marriage in the Catholic Church until she has assured the local Ordinary of her due preparedness for Christian marriage.

This Decree of Nullity is issued to the Respondent:  Michelle Clarke

By direction of the Presiding Judge.   __________________Administrator

Given at the Offices of the National Appeal Tribunal, All Hallows College, Grace Park Road, Dublin 9.

Date: 23rd August, 2004.

Note the Bold Print, is the plain sheet of white paper that issues from the National Marriage Appeal Tribunal of Ireland.  Divorce in Ireland is No Fault – what is position here but the villain!

12 years of no marriage; yet a divorce in the Irish courts of law.  The file details my case of serious ill-health and the consistent dialogue and meetings with my advocate KT.  The grounds are not mentioned in this Decree but I am not free to enter a future marriage in the Catholic Church until she has assured the local Ordinary of her due preparedness for Christian marriage. My Advocate KT arduously tried to represent me but I was too debilitated to assist.  All correspondence is documented but the fact that I had sustained a traumatic brain injury, manic depression, anxiety et al was irrelevant and that some other ‘unstated’ conclusion rendered me as defined above….excluded from a Christian marriage.

Only one more point.  If I had known that my marriage would have been deemed to have never existed, I could have, as advised, sought a decree that no marriage ever existed through the divorce courts.  This would have been preferable given the level of contention over possession of assets in my name (which belonged to me at the time I married).  I chose not to choose this avenue for obvious reasons.  My marriage existed for 12 years.

Justice.  Today I am well and I am reading this article ‘Marriage reforms set to cause concern among conservatives’ in the Irish Independent.  Hope for Truth becomes a real possibility.  Conservatives and bureaucracy, my files outline that this is true.

“Automatic appeals for annulments, which were introduced by Pope Benedict XIV almost 300 years ago, will also be scrapped.  Annulment trials will be free except for the “fair compensation of court workers”.  You will note above, letters from medical profession and lawyers, held no sway, in my case and now we know this Rule said the Church had the Power and money could be a major influence.

What is more interesting to my case is that is that quite rightly the proposed new streamlined annulment procedure will be available when both spouses request an annulment or do not oppose it’

Why do I fall into this category with no explanation just conjecture especially when there is a clear reason to declare a marriage invalid such as lack of Faith (highly personal), infidelity (it applied in my case but Ireland and its law courts have opted for “No Fault divorces”, or a lack of desire to have children (how can you prove this?)  The Church quite clearly states in my case that they apply the veto – that the defect that caused the nullity is still present, obviously putting the validity of future marriages at risk!

To conclude:  it is my view that the elites within the Catholic Church played a part in this “Decree of Nullity”.  Opus Dei, Iona Institute and others have powers.  Money and costs are mentioned but yet we never associate them with Annulments.  I didn’t pay because I was not asked nor did my Mother but did the other people to benefit from a Church wedding pay.  I would like to know because my name is defamed.

What would you feel if you received a letter in 2004, and you can access my health file in another document on this site, that stated the nullity of your marriage has now been completed…..In regard to the “Special Conditions” Clause, PLEASE NOTE that you may not contract marriage in the Catholic Church unless the local Bishop can see his way to giving you a special permission.  No such permission could be considered without your agreement to take part in whatever investigation the Bishop might require.  No guarantee can be given that the permission would be granted…..signed by the Judicial Vicar.

Highlighted and enlarged as per the letter.

At the time of this Annulment, media reported about priests who were accused of child sexual abuse working in the Annulment courts.

Addendum:

Letter by Brendan Butler, Malahide, Co. Dublin Irish Times 10th September 2015.

I select this paragraph, the foregoing will it make it obvious as to how I can identify with what you have written in this paragraph.

“To outsiders and indeed to many Catholics on the inside, annulments were seen as a dubious means of marriage dissolution and often seen as privileging rich, aristocratic Catholic families.  I hope that there will be more transparency in the annulment process as a result of this decree by Pope Francis”

So do I.  I want written confirmation as to why I was deemed so inadequate to have engaged in a marriage of 12 years duration, a 4 year hostile based divorce, when the spouse openly engaged in adultery that our 12 years of marriage was scrapped to garbage when this cannot be justified; it is most unjust and immoral and biased towards my position.

January 29th 2016: Spotlight film https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2015-11-03/-spotlight-charlie-rose is just released. Cardinal Law – The Boston Globe. The Power of the Roman Catholic Church and the might and power of the investigative journalism to do what is their function and make public the abuse of power that can destroy peoples’ lives.  My experience is not of sexual abuse but an abuse of power because of a psychiatric history complicated by a traumatic brain injury leaving me vulnerable as can be identified by this letter which I located today from my files.  I shudder as I read it; the pain.

References to articles written recently:-

http://www.irishtimes.com/…/catholic-church-makes-it-easier-to-annul-marriag..

www.irishcatholic.ie/article/sharp-decline-marriage-annulments

http://www.independent.ie/…/david-quinn/new-annulment-rules-are-welcome-…

Archives:
9th December 2002

Nullity of Marriage: Garry Clarke Ref: J1-135/97
Dublin Regional Marriage Tribunal
Diocesan Offices
Archbishop’s House
Dublin 9.
The Revd. Aidan McGrath

Let me first say I deem the Catholic Church to be in contravention of Human Rights and are not in line with my right for Civil Liberties, in fact they have been seriously breached.

I am concluding this matter now. I am instructing you to make no further contact with MB. This you did, ignoring my letter to you, with a Psychiatrist’s letter, to say I was medically unable at the time to proceed. You blatantly ignored this, met with MB (who attended the two meetings with Fr. Cahill and myself), and exchanged correspondence regarding me with him. This was totally without my authority. Neither had I given MB my permission although he is a very good friend of mine to meet with you. I had asked him solely to seek a reply to my letter to you which had been sent to you several months before and had not even been acknowledged.

I was interviewed on two occasions: there exists almost five hours of transcribed notes from a person who was seriously unwell at the time. The trauma of the interviews set back my recovery process. Fr. Cahill asked for the name of witnesses, I submitted eight, unaware that these people were to be called for interview and a letter was received the day following my meeting. Certain people strongly objected. I asked MB at the time to phone on my behalf to say I had not been correctly informed. He chose not to. I did – I spoke to Fr. Cahill, he suggested it was too late. I explicitly said I wanted a counter letter to be written immediately. At this point I would like to add that my father’s brother, a Roman Catholic priest, was among the eight I suggested.

I have not been well. I will not accept that you do not take account of my psychiatrist’s letter or take account of my health situation and if I could take this matter further I would. This letter along with remainder of my correspondence regarding this matter is being sent to my solicitor Mr. Brian Gallagher who acted on my behalf in the past and is so appointed to in this instance i.e. provided the Catholic Church incur my expenses. I am instructing that you are no longer to consider me part of the process of nullity proceedings.

One point. The rights of the Catholic Church were curbed within the Constitution by amendment. In 1995 – by referenda, the people of this Nation, if only by minority, voted in Divorce. Who is the Church to ‘invade the private rights’ of an individual with my health case history? I know many good priests but institutions that permits injustices to occur and keep them secrets – I cannot accept.

Please note from the extensive notes you evidently have: I worked, while at the same time studied law by night. I became ill in 1992 and in 1993 sustained serious brain damage……my former husband admitted to the affair at the time of the divorce proceedings…….Joe (for his own reasons) left me in a psychiatric hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe…..and I have fought my way through recurrent illness, into Trinity and am now reading politics and sociology third year (having been hospitalized and recurrently ill with depression necessitating ECT, and a harrowing divorce). I gained nothing from the divorce. I do not receive maintenance. Joe sought money placed in my name by my mother because medically it was said I would never work again…..he walked out on this prognosis, not me, the well person of 1992.

You may abolish your time limits. Canon Law is challenged presently and I am right behind that. I want accountability on a number of counts and I expect, if God grants me the health, to ensure that that comes about. I believe in Truth, Equity, Justice, not in the ability to conceal and harbour facts with subjectivity applied.

Yours sincerely

Michelle Clarke.
‘A human being’

Copy: Brian Gallagher, Gallagher Shatter
Shane Clarke, Brother
Senator Mary Henry – correspond with Senator Henry regarding the lack of rights for those who have mental health problems

Abuse of Power: Ignore the vulnerable party.
Nullity of Marriage: Garry-Clarke J.I.-135/97
26th May, 2003

Personal and Confidential
The Administrator,
National Appeal Tribunal of Ireland
All Hallow’s College
Greenpark Road
Dublin.

To whom it may concern:

Apologies for the delay – I have been unwell.

Point 1: A Psychiatrist’s letter indicated that I was not medically fit for the Annulment process. You deliberately ignored same and dealt with MB without my permission and discussed my case. Ethically, morally this is incorrect, in such delicate circumstances.

I informed you that the matter had been referred to my solicitor and to correspond with him – you ignored that letter.

I now receive this. I ask; have I no say and if so why? I have continually sought ‘what checks and balances apply to the Catholic Church’ and in the absence of communication from all concerned, I am no wiser. I will pursue answers. My marriage ended on 6th December 2000 when the court, having reviewed the evidence, granted same. The rights of the Church were curtailed in the Constitution a number of years ago. There is a conflict here and most definitely discrimination. There was full intervention with the Psychiatrist and the medical report spoke in medical facts.

On the basis of mental health issues I have referred my case to the Human Rights Commission, to Amnesty and to the Attorney General.

YOU DO NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO PROCEED WITH THE CASE.
5 HOURS OF INTERVIEWS WERE TAKEN WHEN I WAS AT SUCH A CRITICALLY ILL STAGE MUST BE A BREACH OF SOME CONVENTION.

I obtained a divorce in 2000. By April approaching my exams, I (yet again) received a most unexpected letter from the Archbishop’s Palace. I was informed by the Church that Joe had spoken with me – he had not. Then I was informed that Joe applied in 1996 and instructed that I not be told. Now this has serious consequences. I would have been in a better position to seek a Church Annulment as the assets Joe claimed belonged to my mother. I regarded myself to have been married and well at that time and chose not to take the route and the mental health implications of it. I was not told until March/April 2001.

4 years ago on this day I was in hospital having my 15th session of ECT. I was in hospital 5 months and have an amnesic gap for perhaps 8. The more episodes one has or precipitating events one encounters, the greater the frequency. The divorce was extremely traumatic; the unexpected letter from the Archbishop’s Palace ‘yet again tactic’ just prior to my exams placed me on a collision course of no exams; homeless; nearly certified; family being medical who are in denial; I crawled out and as I was crawling, the two men who had been kind enough to take me to live with them when no-one would, decided to address the letter. In retrospect, I was not ready.

You will note the young Australian woman spoken about in the media, who became part of one of the latest sects in Ireland, committed suicide. With a person who has a bipolar condition as distinct from depression, it is not advisable to question them too much, it can cause trauma within the mind and most unforeseen circumstances. I had to leave Trinity College and last year returned yet again. Now I am aware my health will never let me repeat and complete my final BESS exams. I do not take maintenance from Joe and the rest is with his conscience i.e. the knowledge that should be within him.

I have no social life. I walked on the marches for Peace and ended up hospitalized on APRIL 2ND 2002. The 4 Gardai did not grasp that my rigid and muscle wasted body was not pulling against them but due to the neuro-psychiatric implications and many drugs – the physical condition is now a real factor. My ill-health arose only 11 years ago – my husband (like so many) went into immediate denial when I fell off the horse, fracturing my skull. I had returned to Ireland to be hospitalized and Mary (his new wife) who would be my little nieces and nephews, aunt, came to meet me to make suggestions). Mary never met Joe until a few years later, when her mother asked my brother, if she could stay for 5 days. I had gone home for a medical. When I returned they had fallen in love……..Joe continually put undue pressure on me to leave – I tried to persuade him……it was not to be recommended and in retrospect I would have left. I ended up in psychiatric in Harare. I had good friends the Little Company of Mary; in fact people have always been good to me.

Can I have my files returned to me (forthwith)? I hope the Freedom of Information Act applies.

Let the Church change their law but NOT BLAME THE FIRST WIFE.

I will not accept what you say.  The adultery is stated in the divorce papers…..those who appeared in the divorce court can confirm this, with the opinions of medical and legal team. It was Joe who brought initiatted separation and divorce proceedings.

Regards

Michelle Clarke

Quotation: Catholic Church entrenched stigma questioned in the foregoing letters:

Amnesty 2001 – Mental Illness the Neglected Quarter

‘Amnesty is a worldwide voluntary activist movement working with human rights. It is independent of any government, political persuasion or religious creed.

Amnesty’s vision is of a world in which every person enjoys all the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other International Human Rights Standards’

‘One in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. Around 450 million people currently suffer from such conditions, placing mental health disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide. Treatments are available, but nearly two-thirds of people with a known mental disorder never seek help from a health professional. Stigma discrimination and neglect prevent care and treatment from reach people with mental disorders.

Where there is neglect, there is little or no understanding.

Where there is no understanding, there is NEGLECT.

World Health Organisation 2003

Personal note: Michael Comyn was my Grandfather but James Comyn (“JJ”) was my mother’s first cousin and as they say in Ireland my cousin once removed.  I know JJ if he was still alive would encourage me to record this, even though the written piece must be lost to history that is apart from JJ’s book.

Chapter XXIII

Background:

‘It was de Valera who offered my uncle the circuit court judgeship and I believe at first he refused, saying, “You had higher positions in your gift and passed me over”…principally on the wise advice of his wife he accepted’.

“After his years on the bench, and with his long experience of the bar and the law, my uncle had certain reflections on the judicial office which may be of interest.  I will now give them in his own words”

Judge Michael Comyn (1872-1952) reflects:-

Governments should regard the appointment of Judges as a supremely important function.  A Judge has great power – not general and diffused like the power of a Government but intimate and personal, directly affecting the lives and fortunes of individuals.  Some Judges can be very bad, the two worst defects being an itch to exercise power on all occasions and the desire to be humorous.  It s not easy to foretell whether a man will make a good Judge but I have seen many cases where it was obvious that a man would be a bad Judge, and he was.  A man who is not a good lawyer with a sound knowledge of the law should not be made a Judge, because it is the law of the land which the Judge has to administer, not what he thinks the law should be.  In civil cases he usually has little discretion but in criminal cases quite a lot.

The lawyers practising on my circuit were careful and competent men.  I tried to be always courteous to them and I particularly tried to be especially understanding of and kind to young men.  A Judge has much to do with the training and conduct of the professional men who appear before him and should never forget that he has a responsibility to them and for them.

Laws should be made and administered so as to suit the particular people concerned.  Legislation which in England might be fitting might neither suit nor fit Ireland.  Some laws are of course common to all civilized communities, such as the law about stealing.  So far as we are concerned we started with the simple commandment “Thou shalt not steal” – a classic example of simple, easily-understood legislation – but the complexities of our society have necessitated elaborating it.

A Judge’s greatest responsibility arises in dealing with crime.  He must be fair to everyone and it must be obvious to all that he is being so.  Apparent unfairness to a prisoner from the bench will often lead a jury to acquit a clearly guilty man.  In passing sentence the Judge should guard particularly against any feeling of anger or resentment.  Many times in the hearing of a bad, or an ill-conducted case a Judge may feel such emotions.  If they predominate at the end of the trial he is in no fit state to pass sentence and should put the prisoner back for a time.  Whenever I felt excessive emotion I used to write down the sentence which occurred to me and then postpone the sentence until the following morning.  In many cases the sentence passed then was less and in no case was it heavier.  Whatever philanthropists and reformers may say there must be an element of pure punishment or retaliation in a sentence, but the sentence must be measured – yes measured – by a Judge whose mind is perfectly level.  Then I think there should be a little abatement for the sake of mercy.  Mercy*, and charity, are important and can sometimes be extended even to those who did not show it themselves.

I am against very long sentences if they can possibly be avoided.  A prisoner suffers every day of a short sentence, because he is counting the hours until he is free again.  If he gets a very long sentence he simply surrenders to his fate and succumbs to hopelessness.  It also creates problems in respect of his family.

I never favoured sending young offenders to institutions unless I had absolutely no option.  An institution can be a sort of finishing school for delinquents.  Those who passed the common entrance of crime go on to take degrees.  Wild lads may be hard to control and their misdeeds may look formidable in statistics but there were juvenile delinquents before there were any statistics, and it should not be forgotten that the world is not exclusively for good people.  On one of my visits to a reformatory I saw about 200 boys and the general impression I got was of vigour, independence and ardour.  I felt then, and always feel, that one of our greatest tasks must be to see those qualities utilized in the community and not segregated from it.

In regard to criminal statistics I always think it desirable to have in mind factors which cannot be reflected in statistics – namely such factors as an improvement in the efficiency of detection (which can make comparisons dangerous) and varying fashions in entertainment, use of leisure and youthful activity in general.  Also as any Judge can testify, some types of crime (for example sex crimes) can prove unaccountably more prevalent in particular areas.

I have also found that many things which do not amount to crimes within our law are often worse in their effect than actual crimes – for example deceit, sharp practice and unfair dealing.  In that connection it is indeed a sobering thought that there is frequently a very narrow line between being a thief and being a “good business man”.  Taking sixpence from a man’s pocket is theft but taking advantage of him in a deal to the tune of several hundred pounds will often carry praise and not blame in the eyes of the law and the community.  A Judge’s prime task is to enforce fairness and reasonableness wherever and whenever he can.

It is easy for a Judge to be impatient with what he may regard as the stupid ways and views of others, but he must learn to respect people’s beliefs, habits, mannerisms and even superstitions.  Particularly is this so in rural districts and sea-coast areas.

Simplicity and clarity, brevity and the minimum of interruptions – these should be the key-notes of the judicial office but, my goodness, how difficult they are to live up too.  Temptation is constant, there is ample opportunity or often considerable inclination.  Some Judges I have known seemed to regard themselves as heaven-sent preachers and were always ready to give long sermons, but a captive audience in court is rarely receptive.

What is most needed by a Judge is a clear, logical faculty and an accurate sense of justice.  He ought to know the law, of course, but he ought to know human nature too.  Soon after I came to the bar, a very conscientious Judge, Judge Andrews, was hearing a case in which two Kerry farmers were disputing about the ownership of cattle on a mountain.  The Judge wrote down every word that was said and had no time to observe the demeanour of the witnesses.  This was too much for Mr. Sandford, one of the counsel engaged in the case, who stopped his cross-examination and said “My Lord, if you would only lay down your pen and look at the witness, it might be an advantage”.  I thought I had never heard a more disrespectful observation, but the Judge took no offence.  He laid down his pen.  Then after looking at the witness for a time he said, “I think you were right, Mr. Sandford”.

Crimes of violence are always a problem and particularly so after war or civil war.  Wars create dangerous precedent for violence.  Fortunately there was not a lot of such crime on the Eastern circuit.  But I have unfortunately seen a lot of violence in my time and it has made me realize that there are some men, otherwise decent and able, who positively delight in it.  I knew some in the civil war who got an exhilaration from and revelled in skirmishes and narrow escapes.  Of such must have come the “soldiers of fortune” of days gone by.  No man with cruel or sadistic tendencies is fit to be a Judge or to be in any position of authority over prisoners.  I believe that such comparatively few incidents of unprovoked violence to prisoners as are established (as distinct from the many which are alleged) occur at the hands of sadistic men, of whom there are a few to be found in nearly every group of society.  But authority abused soon becomes authority despised.

It is said that the Irish have less respect for authority than the British. That is a generalization born of the long years of fighting for independence but it is not, I think, accurate.  Indeed I regard the Irish as being ultra-conservative and extremely conformist by nature.  They do not on the whole like to be different from their neighbours.

It is also said that the Irish are more litigious than most.  I doubt it.  In matters connected with land they have always shown a ready disposition to litigate, but that is not surprising because most of Ireland’s wealth lies in her land and it has ever been a commodity in short supply.  But land apart I would not consider the Irish more litigious than anybody else: perhaps in recent years even less so because there is only very limited “legal aid” in Ireland and that confined to criminal cases.

On the bench I had a variety of case to try, from arson to breach of promise, from negligence to bribery.  There were of course many claims for damages for personal injuries – a great many genuine ones, but some absolutely bogus.  The latter have been nicely described as cases where “compensation has quickly set in”.

So far as bribery is concerned, I think the briber and the bribed must have an instinct for knowing each other akin to the acute sense of smell in dogs.  One instance of attempted bribery actually occurred in my court.  It was a workmen’s compensation claim where I had a distinguished doctor sitting with me as my medical assessor.  I wanted a special examination of the claimant by the assessor and while this was being conducted in my room I went on with other cases in court.  After a time the doctor resumed his place near me on the bench.  He had a look of outraged virtue about him and he told me later that the workman had produced a roll of notes when they were in the room together and offered them to him.  I told the doctor that I was satisfied that the claim was not bona fide and I intended to dismiss it.  “But are you not going to do anything about the attempt to bribe me?” he asked.  “No,” I replied.  “It is not necessary to do so and it is better not to mention that such a thing could even have been attempted.”

I knew of one case of bribery in a particular type of election where a local councillor had a vote.  The person who wanted his vote gave him a horse and actually delivered it before polling took place.  When the result was announced it was seen that this man got no vote at all, so it was obvious that the councillor had not fulfilled his promise.  A few days later the briber saw the horse standing saddled near the councillor’s house.  He promptly went up to the horse and rode him away.  In the nature of things there could be no claim (even to the saddle which really belonged to the councillor) and so a sort of rough justice was done between the two unjust men.

In most cases before me it was usually fairly easy to tell where the truth lay, but I distrust any Judge or lawyer who seeks to say that he can always do so.  Some liars are very convincing and some truthful witnesses very bad.  Lord Justice Mathew said “Truth will out, even in in an affidavit”, but I would respectfully add – not always.

I have seen plenty of witnesses caught out in lies and have even heard of one who, when that happened, simply turned to the Judge and said, with an air resignation, “Well that’s it, Yer Honour.”.

It is well known that there are ladies in particular dress with particular care for appearance in court.  I have even heard of solicitors and counsel suggesting a form of court dress for clients, usually something demure.

I have great respect for juries, and often a lot of sympathy for them too.  They try to do their best as a rule but sometimes the legal intricacies are too much for them.  They always pay considerable attention to what the Judge tells them but they expect him to be impartial and if he is not they may well, in a criminal case, refuse to trust a prisoner to him and prefer to acquit.

Juries are prevalent in Ireland even for civil cases – long after England dispensed with them except in a few instances.  In an accident case the jury of course apt to be more generous – to the plaintiff.  But that is not – always – a good thing.  And I respectfully doubt the value of juries in long and complicated cases, even in crime.  There is a limit to what even an intelligent and willing layman can absorb and understand about a case such as complex fraud.

A curious thing in regard to Judge is that those who lose cases before them or are sentenced by them rarely bare resentment against the Judge.  Their resentment is against the system and they tend to regard the Judge as a figurehead who has the task of applying rules which others have laid down.  And this seems to be so, strangely enough, even when a Judge has gone out of his way to make some weighty pronouncement of his own.

I often think it is a pity that most of the pageantry has gone out of Irish law since Independence.  Wigs and gowns are retained but coloured robes and processions have gone.  I for one think that the “Red Judge” in his scarlet robes was a useful figure.  He personified the majesty of the law and coming to judge crime inspired awe, admiration and just the right amount of fear.  It is strange in a way that pageantry has not returned because the Irish at heart love pageantry every bit as much as the British.

Robes were for a time abolished in the early days of the circuit court, but on the Munster circuit we determined to restore the wig and gown.  After all these were the highest courts for the ordinary litigant.  It so happened that business for counsel increased: so much for the effect of clothes.

No Judge likes being reversed but it is sometimes comforting to remember that one’s decision can be reviewed by others.  It is of course a common failing – by no means confined to Judges – to believe that one’s judgments are always right.  It was I think Tim Healy who once referred to a 4-3 decision of the House of Lords as being “the transpondine voice of infallibility speaking with a narrow margin”.   And Pope Said:

‘Tis with our judgments as our watches, None go just alike, yet each believes his own”

There is a nice story told of an English Chancery Judge who was getting a little elderly.  He had two points to decide in a case and announced his intention of giving judgment on one in the morning and on the other in the afternoon.  He duly gave a splendid judgment on the first point next morning, and decided it in favour of the plaintiff.  In the afternnoon he resumed and it soon became obvious to everyone’s surprise that he was giving judgment on the first point again – but this time in favour of the defendant.  When he had finished, counsel for the plaintiff got up and said politely, “I take it My Lord, that we’re playing the best of five.”

In England Chancery is a specialty of its own with a district Chancery Bar, and I believe some common lawyers will only accept a brief in the division if assured that it is “light Chancery” and not “deep Chancery”.  In Ireland we have always been G.P.’s knowing something about everything.

From time to time in the law one comes across pleasant misprints and infelicities.  I have seen a writ which claimed interest “until the Day of Judgment” and a solicitor’s letter which spoke of “His Holiness the Judge”.  I have heard of a statement by a lady petitioner in a divorce case in England which said, “I did not really know what adultery meant until I met my solicitor”.

Aloofness is thrust upon a Judge.  With appointment to the bench he is cut off from the comradeship of the bar and from many of his old activities.  He becomes very much alone and is surrounded by deference.  It does not suit some men and can easily go to their heads.  “Dressed in a little brief authority” they should of course try never to lose touch with the thoughts, feelings and problems of those who come before them as litigants or lawyers.  Above all they should remember that they were once briefless, or nearly briefless, barristers.

Of all things the one which appeals to a Judge is reasonableness.  The reasonable man, the reasonable letter, the reasonable approach, they attract him, and I think more cases are probably lost because of unreasonableness than for anything else.

I have often heard it said, usually in retrospect, “I would never have trusted him” or “It’s all very well for him to say that he trusted him completely, but how could he?”  I am not impressed by this hindsight.  Trust is a valuable commodity and in very common use.  What about the passenger who boards an aircraft – just think how much he takes on trust: and he often never sets eyes on the pilot.

“Having practised on the Munster and been Judge on the Eastern circuit I noticed considerable difference between people of the East and West of Ireland.  I always felt that those in the East resembled more their neighbours just across the Irish sea.  In ancient times, and even as late as Cromwell’s time, I expect that far more crossed the Irish Sea to Wales and England than ever went through the gaps to the West of Ireland.  There was much travel from the West to France, Spain and the Continent.  As an old man in County Clare once said to me, in the days before cars and aeroplanes, “Isn’t it wonderful we have the sea – it enables us to travel.”  There was continuous trading and smuggling with France and Spain, until the police and coastguards became efficient.  Men came and went – political exiles like the “Wild Geese”, too – until Australia and American were opened to emigration.  Many people in the West have relations in France and Spain and there are distinct Spanish and French types to be found all along the West coast, even still.

I have often been asked whether I can trace any continuity in the Republican movement since 1798.  Answering particularly in regard to the West, I say that the desire to win freedom has been continuous but it has not been Republican.  Freedom was always the goal but Republicanism only developed later.  It might well be that in the 1800’s a separate monarchy, or even a dual monarchy with England, might have been the solution to the Irish question.  But it was not until the 1930’s that the British – with an instinct of amounting to genius – developed a new conception in turning an Empire into a Commonwealth.  It is known that Kevin O’Higgins up to the time of his tragic death in 1927 felt that there were possibilities for Ireland in the dual monarchy idea, but by then the very harbouring of such an idea was to many a capital offence and may well have led to his assassination.

JJ concludes this chapter of his book:

“That is what Michael said: and although he liked being an advocate better, he enjoyed being a Judge.”  And to add a little humour and JJ was witty, kind and a great story teller.

A witness before him in court once said, when asked where he came from, “Ballyjamesduff, Me Lord: you know, the place in the song: ‘Where the grass is so green around.'” “I know,” replied Michael, “but the boys aren’t so green around Ballyjamesduff.”

*An interview by Charlie Rose Bloomberg TV with Bryan Stevenson is a book added to my list of essential reading.  The title is ‘Just Mercy’.

Bryan Stevenson, a public interest attorney and the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, talks to Charlie Rose about the challenge of owning up to America’s …

Wikipedia entry: I have access to the information but encountered problems with uploading to Wiki but this is the entry, copy and pasted.  Poetry: Sir James Comyn was his nephew.

Michael Comyn KC (6 June 1871 – 6 October 1952) was a member of the British Civil Service, barrister, King’s Counsel, politician, vice-chairman of the Irish Senate (appointed by de Valera while in opposition in 1928), judge, geologist, discoverer and operator of phosphate mines in Co. Clare, engaged in gold mining interests with Ben Briscoe in Avoca, Co. Wicklow, and finally “litigant in one of the longest cases ever heard in the Irish courts”. As a lawyer-turned litigant, he recounted that “it was his last case, and he won it: a far cry from his first case as a young barrister…it was a bad case and I did it badly”.^[1]

Michael Comyn was born at Clareville, Ballyvaughan, County Clare, in 1871, the eldest son and the second of seven children of James Comyn of Kilshanny, a tenant farmer and secretary of the local branch of the Land League. His mother was Ellenora, daughter of Thomas Quin, of Fanta Glebe, Kilfenora, Co. Clare. In 1879, the Comyn family were evicted from their home by Lord Clanricarde’s agent and the family moved to Gortnaboul in Kilshanny parish, Co Clare. Michael Comyn attended the local school and was taught by Vere Ryan, father of the republican Frank Ryan. Later he attended Hugh Brady’s school in Ruan, Co. Clare. This school had a reputation for tutoring its students successfully for civil service examinations. Michael boarded with his aunt (married to Casey) in Ruan during the week.^[2]

At the age of 19, Michael Comyn sat for an examination to be an excise officer; 2,500 people entered and 50 were selected. He was assigned to Powers’ Distillery, Dublin (John’s Lane Distillery (John Power & Sons) – Dublin 1791 – 1974) for a six-week introduction course. He was assigned to Lancaster, where he both worked in excise and attended Preston College, Lancashire, England. He returned to Dublin to University College Dublin where he studied law. He attended King’s Inns while continuing to work during the day. Despite being transferred to Burton Salmon, Yorkshire, in his last year at the King’s Inns which meant he was not able attend the required lectures, he persisted. He was one lecture short at the time of the final examination. Eager to proceed he put himself forward for the Victoria Prize, he won the Victoria Prize which enabled to complete his studies. Michael Comyn was called to the Irish bar in 1898 taking the Victoria Prize and joined the Munster Circuit in 1900. He built up a highly successful practice and he took silk in June 1914.^[2]

“A barrister at last, but a civil servant still.With no legal back ground, no solicitor acquaintances and no influential friends, the bar looked a particularly hazardous profession”.

He decided to join the Munster circuit and presented himself at quarter sessions in his home county Clare.^[3]

Comyn would have met people like Fenian John O’Leary. Comyn was active in advanced nationalist politics. He would have known Patrick Pearse, Thomas Clarke, Eamon de Valera, Erskine Childers, Michael Collins, Kathleen O’Connell (secretary to Eamon de Valera), Elgin O’Rahilly, Kathleen Clarke (nee Daly) and many others. During the 1916 Easter Rising he was in Kansas City, USA, with Arthur Griffith, Founder of Sinn Fein in 1905. When he returned from the USA he became involved in the defense of Republican prisoners and was introduced to the Military Courts regime. He would argue several cases before the British House of Lords in his time.^[2]

Re. Clifford and O’Sullivan 1921 is the case that is most significant. The case represented two of the 42 men under sentence of death from a military tribunal for possession of arms. It was a solicitor named James G. Skinner from Mitchelstown, Co. Cork, who approached Michael Comyn and his brother James with the words “Do anything but do something”…”Invent something if necessary”. It is written that it was Michael Comyn who decided to apply for Prohibition (an old and seldom used remedy) which would be new to the authorities. Re Clifford and O’Sullivan proceeded forward to the House of Lords.^[4]

Initially, the application was made to the Chancery Division in Ireland. In 1920, two proclamations were announced, one by Viscount French, the Lord Lieutenant, putting certain areas including Co. Cork under martial law and the second by the British Commander-in-Chief in Ireland (Sir Nevil Mccready) requiring all civilians who did not hold a permit to surrender all arms, ammunition and explosives by December 27 of that year. Failure to comply meant that any unauthorized person found in possession of arms, ammunition or explosives, would become liable to trial by Military Court and on conviction the sentence was death. General Sir E.P. Strickland was appointed by the Commander-in-Chief Macready to be military governor of the martial law area. It was his duty to establish and organize the Military Courts. In April 1921, 42 individuals, including Clifford and O’Sullivan, were arrested near Mitchelstown, Co. Cork. On May 3, 1921, 42 civilians were tried by a military court on a charge of being in possession of arms and ammunition. They were sentenced to death “subject to confirmation”.^[3]

Ten days later, May 10, 1921, Mr. Justice Powell sought a Writ of Prohibition against Sir Nevil Macready and General Strickland to prohibit them “(1) from further proceeding the trial of applicants, (2) from pronouncing or confirming any judgment upon them, (3) from carrying any judgment upon them into execution and (4) from otherwise interfering with them. The Prohibition sought was that the Military Court was in fact illegal and therefore had no jurisdiction to try the applicants or to adjudicate in any matter related to them. Mr. Justice Powell listened to this unusual application in his division but “felt constrained to dismiss it”. In the appeal to the Court of Appeal – the Crown’s case was that the Preliminary objection that Mr. Justice Powell’s order was “made in a criminal cause or matter within s.50 of the Supreme Court of Judicature Act, 1877, therefore no appeal lay. “This contention succeeded with O’Connor, M.R., and Lord Justices Ronan and O’Connel, and the appeal was duly dismissed”. June 16, 1921 (just six weeks after the verdict of the Military Court) the case appeared before the House of Lords in London for hearing on the Preliminary objection. Sir John Simon, K.C., led Michael Comyn K.C., James Comyn S.C., their colleague, Joe McCarthy (later appointed a Judge) and Richard O’Sullivan of the English court appeared before the House.^[3]

The House of Lords heard the argument but then decided to adjourn the preliminary objection hearing until the hearing of the case on its merits. This hearing over five days took place in July. Delay and elaborate review of the law throughout history, taking account of other wars, civil wars and revolutions was a tactic specifically used. A most detailed review of the conditions in which prisoners were held in custody was cited. A red herring by Comyn drew mention to a link to Comyns’ Digest of the 18th century and where to place the apostrophe. 28th, July 1921 (only 10 weeks from the original trial by Military Court), Their Lordships, 4 from Scotland and Lord Atkinson from Ireland, gave judgment, which was most unsatisfactory. James Comyn, QC, (nephew of Michael Comyn KC and son of James Comyn SC) writes “On the strongly argued Preliminary objection that no appeal lay from Mr. Justice Powell or to them, they ruled against and against the unanimous judgment of the Court of Appeal….They went on to hold that Prohibition was inappropriate because first, the Military Court was not a judicial tribunal and secondly, the officers constituting it were functi officio. They refrained from saying too much about the merits of the case because the use of habeas corpus ‘might be attempted'”.^[5]

James Comyn QC cites the Clifford and O’Sullivan^[2] case as a leading authority in the field of constitutional law. The lives of 42 men were at stake. Timing proved essential. Michael Comyn K.C. revealed later that King George V became aware of the details about the 42 men facing the death penalty. He was reported to be shocked and personally “interfered” to ensure that the sentences of death were not carried out. Not one of the 42 men were executed. Shortly after the Treaty, these men received their freedom.^[5]

“In Michael Comyn’s view the case had been brought to an end through the intervention of King George V, who, he said, secured a promise from the prime minister that no executions would take place and that Peace would be made”. It also notes that no republican prisoner whose case Comyn took up during the “troubles” suffered the death penalty. Other notable cases included his appeal to the House of Lords on behalf of the suffragette Georgina Frost.^[2]

After the truce in 1921 it is stated that Michael Comyn K.C. met with Arthur Griffith and Austin Stack in London. He is said to have revealed “intelligence” from a highly placed British source that Lloyd George (Prime Minister) “would negotiate on lines that would satisfy Smuts and would go to the country rather than to war if those negotiations failed”.^[2]

During the Irish War of Independence, Michael Comyn K.C. was involved in the defense of Irish Republican prisoners at the High Court and before the Military Courts. He also defended Republican prisoners during the Irish Civil War. He also took part in some significant inquests notably the two that arose with the deaths of Cathal Brugha and Harry Boland with the intention to disrupt them on behalf of the IRA.^[6] Erskine Childers: when the Treaty was being negotiated in London was one of the principal secretaries to the Irish mission. The split between the pro- and the anti-treaty factions resulted in the former becoming the government and the latter under (de Valera) engaged in the hostilities.

Civil War: sentence of death penalty and Erskine Childers

In the Civil War in Cork in 1922, Erskine Childers operated the printing press turning out anti-Treaty propaganda. In October 1922, de Valera made Childers secretary of de Valera’s shadow “government” so he returned to Dublin. He returned with his typewriter and a small Colt automatic revolver (given to him by Michael Collins). While staying with his cousin Robert Barton (one of the signatories of the treaty) in Wicklow, he was captured by the forces of the Free State Government. His capture made headlines and it is reported that it was noted with satisfaction by Winston Churchill who said he was a “mischief making renegade” and added “Such as he is may all who hate us be”. The charge against him was the “illegal possession of arms – the Colt revolver”. Erskine Childers was due to stand trial before a Military Court November 17, 1922. He was imprisoned in Portobello Barracks and being a long-time friend of Michael Comyn KC, he asked Michael to defend him. He had often hidden in Michael’s home in Leeson Park. As quoted in James Comyn’s book, Michael Comyn talks about visiting Erskine Childers at the place of his imprisonment:

“Childers in his cell was perfectly calm, drinking tea from a mug. I knew how much he loved tea so I asked for a mug of tea for myself which I then gave it to Childers. “You know, Comyn,” he said, “there is no defense in fact. I had a gun”. “That may be”, I replied, “but you are too famous a figure to be condemned without due form and solemnity”. It was my rule in those awful times and awful circumstances never to betray any softness or sympathy: it would have been unkind. He had some messages for Mrs. Childers which I brought to her. She also was calm and told me that they had considered and discussed the probable course of events and that they were prepared. At his trial, which was in camera, Childers was, as we all anticipated, convicted. Then with Paddy Lynch (later Attorney-General) we went to the High Court, presided over by the Master of the Rolls, Sir Charles O’Connor, and we conducted a spirited fight based purely on technical grounds. It failed and we appealed. Before the appeal was heard – the terrible news came – in an announcement from London – that Childers had been shot at dawn on November 24 at Beggar’s Bush Barracks. It appears that measures to rescue him were known to the Free State authorities and thus forestalled. It was a complete negation of Justice, the worst I have ever known, to execute a man whose case for life or death was actually under argument and awaiting judgment”^[7]

The Judges of the Court of Appea echoed this when the case was held a few days later.

Michael Comyn KC knew Michael Collins but Comyn decided to take the anti-treaty side during the Civil War. After the Civil War, he became principal legal adviser to Eamon de Valera and Fianna Fail, advising on the formation of the party and the founding of the Irish Press newspaper. It is said that on the advice of Gavan Duffy and Michael Comyn to the Irish Free State that they could withhold payment of the land annuities to Britain.

In 1924, Michael Comyn married Marcella Margaret, youngest daughter of Blake-Forster, the O’Donnellan, of Ballykeal House, Kilfenora, Co. Clare. Two daughters of the marriage are Marcella and Eleanor Rose now in their eighties, both General Practitioners who worked until recently.

In 1926 he became a founder member of Fianna Fáil and in 1928 he was elected as one of six Fianna Fáil Senators to the Free State Seanad under the leadership of Joseph Connolly for three years.^[8] He served as senator between 1928 and 1936 and was vice-chairman of the House (1934–36). “He was a keen debater, he was a hard-working and able legislator, if unforgiving of political opponents. On de Valera’s accession to power, he expected to be made attorney general but was passed over in favour of Conor Maguire.^{[2] [2]} Attributed to Michael Comyn K.C. without detail (any further information would be much appreciated)

“In 1932, Michael Comyn K.C. took a successful action against de Valera’s government in the recover of £20,000 of IRA funds”.

In 1931 he was re-elected for nine years.^[9] After the 1934 Seanad election, there was a contest on 12 December 1934 to decide who would be elected Cathaoirleach. Senator MacKean was absent for the vote but all other members were present. General Sir William Bernard Hickie chaired the election. The two candidates were the outgoing Cathaoirleach, Thomas Westropp Bennett, and the Fianna Fáil candidate, Comyn. Neither of the two candidates voted and so fifty-six Senators voted in the election, which resulted in a tie of twenty-eight votes each. Westropp Bennett received the votes of all twenty-one members of Fine Gael and seven Independents. Comyn received the votes of his eighteen Fianna Fáil colleagues, all the votes of the seven Labour Party Senators and the votes of three Independents: Sir Edward Bellingham, 5th Baronet, Thomas Linehan and Laurence O’Neill. Hickie then gave his casting vote for Westropp Bennett saying he would have done so had he had the opportunity in the division. The following week, however, Comyn defeated the outgoing Leas-Chathaoirleach, Michael F. O’Hanlon of Fine Gael, by twenty-six votes to twenty-five.^[10]

On 24 February 1936, he resigned his seat in the Seanad as he had been appointed a judge on the Eastern Circuit Court.^[11] He died in 1952 aged seventy-five years.

References

• Comyn, James (1973). “IV”. Their Friends at Court (First ed.). London: Barry Rose Publishers. p. 11. ISBN 0 90050056 5.
• Pauric Dempsey (2009). Dictionary of Irish Biography, under auspices of the Royal Irish Academy II. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 723. ISBN 978-0-521-19974-2.
• Comyn, James (1973). Their Friends at Court. Chichester and London: Barry Rose publishers. pp. 51, 52. ISBN 0 90050056 5.
• Comyn, James (1973). Their Friends at Court. London: Barry Rose Publishers. p. 51. ISBN 0 90050056 5.
• Comyn, James (1973). Their Friends at Court. Dublin: Barry Rose Publisher. p. 53. ISBN 0 90050056 5.
• Fitzpatrick, David (2003), Harry Boland’s Irish Revolution. Cork, Cork University Press. pp. 4–5
• Comyn, James (1973). Their Friends at Court. London: Barry Rose Publishers. pp. 75, 76. ISBN 0 90050056 5.
• ‘Sullivan, Donal (1940), The Irish Free State and Its Senate. London, Faber and Faber. p.241
• ‘Sullivan, p. 278
• ‘Sullivan, Donal, p. 448.

“Mr. Michael Comyn”. Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 21 August 2012.

‘Knowledge is no load’ ie according to my Grandfather.  Vague recollections of references to people I didn’t know but who were often discussed when family met.  I know that my Grandfather had provided a safe haven in his home for De Valera and his secretary when he was on the run; likewise he and his sister Delia provided a haven for Erskine Childers, who he later defended and failed leading to his callous execution.

“In 1932, Michael Comyn K.C. took a successful action against de Valera’s government in the recover of £20,000 of IRA funds”.

Stg£20,000 in 1932 was a considerable amount of money.  The origins we know involved trips to the America and England to encourage people to support our ‘war effort’ for Independence on the Island of Ireland.

A Google search for Sinn Fein funds presented me with a doorway into a hall and down memory lane.  JJ (Sir James Comyn, nephew of my Grandfather) was a significant member of our family and we spent much time together.  The following link consolidated memories of family lore and it is worth reading.  Elgin O’Rahilly nee Barry, sister of Kevin Barry, executed, was my Grandfather’s secretary and her papers held in the UCD archives have provided me with information that is most interesting.

Details as follows:-

[PDF]ELGIN O’RAHILLY PAPERS – University College Dublin

“Eamon de Valera asked her to become one of the Republican delegation that travelled … received the full support of Sinn Féin and the IRA who recognised its importance …. Michael Comyn, legal advisor to the Republican Government (see P200/299). …. given…namely, the distribution of funds raised in America…the Irish”.

DOBRUSHIN

(DIED IN A SIBERIAN PRISON CAMP)

I’VE LOST

I think I have lost something on the way. What it is I do not know?
Shall I turn back? It is so far off now. Yet it is a pity to let it go. 

I have lost something but do not know what.  Is it anything of worth?
I shall let it be for the day is short and vast is the earth. 

Already the shadows fall from the trees; Long is my shadow.   My heart is unquiet.  It cries turn back.  My loss torments me so.  So I stand still in the midst of the road, tormented, doubt tossed;

I have lost something but do not know what but I know I have lost

My uncle Paddy, wrote this a pocket size green notebook along with quotations, while living in Japan, in 1985. He gave this green notebook to me and it is one of my most gifts.  2015 he has retired to the Columban Fathers home, Dalgan Park.

First they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew

Then they came for the communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a communist

They they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade Unionist

Then they came for me
And there was no one left to speak out for me.

Profound:  This was written by Pastor Niemoeller (Victim of the Nazis)

Aoiyama Cemetery, Tokyo, January 1970

All is quiet and still in this small Toyko cemetery. 

I am surrounded by graves and graves of people all unknown to me a stranger amongst the dead.

A gentle breeze touches my face, the sun brings light and warmth.

Suddenly a fly alights on my hand, a tear falls from my eye.

Patrick Clarke

October 2015 I spoke with my Uncle Paddy who now resides at St Columban’s, Dalgan Park, Navan, Co. Meath.  I am aware during his retirement years he writes poetry but it never dawned on me to ask him for a poem.  I did and he kindly sent me this.  Paddy, a Columban father, educated by the Jesuits at Belvedere College, was sent to Japan in the 1950’s as a missionary priest.  In those days, you spent the first 12 years in the country designated without any opportunity even a family to return to Ireland.  I now include this poem in the collection.

Hi Michelle

Another Comyn battle with the Crown in Co Clare.

THE BURREN, BISHOP’S QUARTER

See the sullen sweeps of Burren
Bend to meet the moody sea
Down below a stud valley
Which is always home to me.

Men of kindness and of courage
Sons of centuries toil
Coaxing out a narrow living
From a sparse reluctant soil

Wives and children of the Burren
Homes that show the light of love
As they grapple there with nature
The sea skies of blue above

When my years have had their living
When at last it is time to die
Bring me back to BALLYVAUGHAN
IN GOD’S HEAVEN LET ME LIE

Our dear James Peter rests in Ballyvaughan and is at peace.

Poem written by: Sir James Comyn, formerly of Belvin, Tara, Co. Meath and Cambridgeshire.

COOLE PARK

The Philistines, the Philistines, it’s close on 30 years
since Coole’s old walls were scattered….
’twas music to their ears:
“Pull down, pull down” the cry went out
Re-echoed through the land
“We must not suffer beauty in any form to stand”
For it might make men think again
Think hard and step aside
And leave the ranks of levelers
That through the tall gates spied
“What’s on in there?”, they wondered
And knowledge shut it’s mouth
While Ignorance and Greed rode by
On the Shoulders of a Lout

This was written by Rev. Jerry (Jeremiah) Kelly, Porte, Ruan, who became a missionary priest and worked for over 30 years in Korea, on behalf of the Columban Missionaries.  1916, the other side, those left behind.  The O’Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forster is detailed on WordPress.com canisgallicus.  Our shared family tree

It was selected by her grandniece Helen.  Eileen Kelly RIP formerly Porte, Ruan, Co. Clare. Sister of Jeremiah Kelly and the origin of the aforementioned SEPT of the O’Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forster history.  This makes me visualise Eileen, her person, her compassion, her listening ear, her support.

THINK

of stepping on the shore
and finding it heaven
of taking hold of a hand
and finding it – God’s hand
of breathing a new air
of feeling invigorated
and finding it – immortality
of passing from a storm and tempest
to an unknown calm;
of waking – and finding you ‘re home

THE DAYS ARE DIM, DOUR AND DARK
NOT NOW THE SONG AND LILT OF LARK

AGITATED WAKING GIVES RISE TO INNER SHAKING
SEEKING END TO ENDLESS DAY

OTHERS CAN BUT THINK THEY KNOW
THE INNER FEARS THAT WILL
DENY OUR CRY TO FREE OURSELVES
FROM THAT INCESSANT TORTURER
OURSELF

SELF RECRIMINATION STANDS GUARD
HELL, OUR PRISON YARD
FEAR OUR FOOD
WALLS RISE AROUND US
BUILT IN OUR SOULS
BRICKS OF ANXIETY
MORBID MORTAR MADE OF MADNESS

HOPE, VANISHED SO DEEP
SEEMS NEVER TO HAVE EXISTED
OUR EVERY VIEW OF LIFE
NOW TWISTED

PRAYERS TO A GOD OF DESPERATION
ASK MERCY FOR THE UNDESERVING
EMPTY WORDS CANTED
IN VAIN GRASP AT DISTRACTION
FROM THE THROBBING SOURCE OF PAIN
THE INNER SELF

AND SO THE MERCILESS MINUTES
CLIMB THEIR CALVARY
THERE, NO SWORD WILL PUNCTURE THE TERROR
BORN ANEW EACH DAWN

Kyran Hanley, formerly Ennis Road, Limerick City, a childhood friend shared this with me.  Decades later we have lost contact.  Kyran moved to live in Australia in the 1980’s.

TO SWEET MICHELLE

Let no one ever hear it said
While I am alive or when I am dead
In those delightful years that I did not apply
The craft I know and love so well
To praise the charms of Sweet Michelle
Whose soothing soft caressing ways
Illuminate my darkest days
Such feelings thus are best expressed
where arms entwine and lips are pressed
But years have spanned to wide a space
For us to reach in sweet embrace
And though I love my friendships well
There is no one like sweet Michelle

‘Keep this always, as an everlasting testimony that you were once young, charming and beautiful, despite the ravages which the tyrannic pendulum of time can so mercilessly inflict on all of us’.

Goodnight my dear Michelle

SLEEPY RANDOM THOUGHTS

The time is close when I’ll be gone,
But life and time will still go on,
And even though I won’t be there,
To see the light and breathe the air,
The sun will set, the dawn will rise,
The clouds will gather in the skies,
The rains will fall, the winds will blow,
The ocean tides will ebb and flow,
Green leaves will dress the naked plants,
New births in spring will skip and dance,
Sounds old and new will rouse and ring,
New flowers will bloom, new birds will sing,
New girls will bare their shapely limbs,
To don the latest fashion whims,
New crops of boys will strut and boast,
of conquests won from coast to coast,
New things will crowd each busy street
With laughs and handshakes as they meet,
But seldom will a word be said,
Of those of us now cold and dead.
The cosy chats, the evening teas,
The sweetest of my memories,
Will still go on just as before,
But I’ll be gone for evermore.
New things will have replaced the old,
And old things – some will kill to hold,
For out of times long past and gone,
Come woes and ills that linger on.

But if I’m laid where beauty grows,
My dust may sprout a lip-red Rose,
For in this life some earthly power,
Deprived me of that sweetest flower,
I feel my soul would find repose
If God would let me have that Rose.

Written by: Johnnie Neylon formerly Mohermoylan, Carron, Co. Clare and Wellington Road, Dublin 4,18th September 1977

The Divine Weaver

MAN’s life is laid in a loom of time
To a pattern he does not know
While the Weaver works and shuttles fly
Till the end of eternity

Some shuttles are filled with silver thread,
And some with threads of gold;
While often the darker hue
Is all that they may hold.

But the weaver watches with skillful eye
Each shuttle fly to and fro
And sees the pattern so deftly wrought
As the loom works sure and slow

God’s surely planned that pattern
Each thread – the dark and the fair –
was chosen by his master skill
And planned in the web with care

He only knows the beauty and
guides the shuttles which hold
The threads so unattractive
As well as the threads of gold

Nor till the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll a pattern
and explain the reason why

The dark threads are so needful
In the weavers skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has Planned.

Bert Doyle gave me a pocket size card of this well known poem.  The day was Mum’s retirement party 20th April 2000 I noted at the back of the card that this was the day that John Carthy was shot dead in Granard – his diagnosis blurred the reality and necessitated the Barr Tribunal. Bert was a General Practitioner in Wexford.  He understood the struggle I encountered with the complications of a traumatic brain injury and bipolar.  Depression lurked around every corner of my living days.

It’s a War
A battle of wills
You and me.
There’s no fighting
No bloodshed
No world coverage
No – no press
Just Waiting
Playing Games
Like Cat and Mouse
Despair and Pain
No Known Cause
Slowly, inexplicitly
Inexorably Dividing
Like that Serpent
That first snake
Leaving Trials and Hurdles
To be Overcome
A Victory of the Heart
To Love or Trust again

Margaret, Cathy, Trish, Michelle and Fliona
An autumnal visit to the Haven, Glendalough
Fr. Michael Rodgers and Gill McCarthy
Written by Fliona Fogarty – 2002

Her RISING
OUR JOURNEY TO HOPE
Ann O’Riain

The days were getting shorter and colder
The leaves were falling quickly from the trees; 

Each day as we all passed through Stephen’s Green
We could see all these changes
Nature was going for its long sleep
but the Horizon girls were waking; waking to a new and exciting world
Our brain cells were being replenished
With lots of information

Our creativity was being nourished
With help and advice
Our bodies were being trimmed up
By physical exercise
Our personalities developed in general

Winter took its grip but we never noticed
We were busy beavers
The friendships grew with added strength

Christmas came and went
But the communication continued
Telecom made a fortune

January dawned and we returned
To Hatch Street a little sad
As there was not much time left

The days are a little sad
As there was not much time left
The days are now stretching
And Spring has sprung

And with new hope in our hearts once more
And knowledge in our heads
And most importantly lots of wonderful friends

The Horizon girls shall face the world
With heads held high in hope and glory
We hope we have blazed a trail
For Others To Follow in our Footsteps

Her Rising Publication
Trinity Horizon programme 1996/1997
Ann O’Riain

……….

Reflections

When Thinking of Her
I will Remember
The Beauty of Nature
In all its splendour

Russet curls
Like falling leaves
Blue Green Eyes
Cool Deep Seas

Red Rose Lips
An Angel’s Smile
Small White Hands
SNOWDROPS ENTWINED

Feet that tapped
With Sweet delight
Silken Skin so
Pure and White

LOVE HER LIFE
PEACE HER SHROUD

Dolores Symes Participant
Trinity Horizon Programme
1996/1997

…………..

HANDS

They have been at the end of my arms for forty years,
but I have taken them for granted

They were the hands I used to cling to my mother with
They were the hands I saw and played with as a baby
These were the hands that played with my toys

At school and home they were the hand that got slapped
and made them sore
And because I am left handed, they are the hands
that made me feel
Guilty – I was called the Devil’s child.

They were clumsy hands at times
and when I am nervous they shake
I can never or could never carry a tray without a shake
And when I have a hangover, they really shake;
and remind me that I have had too much to drink

They are the hands that do so many things.
And only now – I realize so much
My hands let me write, to express myself so I can write.
They work from morning to night
Once the alarm is turned off in the morning:they are washing, dressing, cooking, cleaning, eating, drinking, ironing, gardening.

To the hour of night when it is time to put the alarm on.

They help me to communicate from
shaking hands to hugging friends
To caressing my loved on;
to tickling my nephews and petting the cat.
To writing to friends and using the phone –
I even use them to say hello to God
The saddest thing they have to do is wave goodbye
to family and friends.

So thank you hands – sorry for taking you for granted.
I shall cherish you now and do more things you would like – perhaps some writing, some painting.
I will give you more handcream that you sometimes cry out for.
And I will most of all appreciate you more
AND NOW THANK YOU FOR BEING MY FRIENDS.

Ann O Riain
Trinity Horizon Programme 1996-1997
First Fifteen

…………

WAITING

LOST AND CONFUSED

IN A COLD BLEAK WORLD

SILENTLY SHE SITS THERE

STARING HOPELESSLY INTO SPACE

SADLY SHE REMEMBERS

HAPPY DAYS – THOUGH NO LONGER HERE

PHOTOGRAPHS AND MEMORIES

NO ONE TO WIPE AWAY HER TEARS

THE ROAD AHEAD SEEMS VERY LONG

THE WAY IS NOT SO CLEAR

WHICH PATH SHOULD SHE TAKE?

What choice will she make?
How much longer does she have to wait?
For the Brighter day,
When clouds will lift,
And the sun can warm her frozen heart.

Maura Buckley
Trinity Horizon Programme 1996-1997
First Fifteen

……….

As darkness fell and gloom filled the air

You were there beside me

To listen, to Love, to Comfort, to Care

And as I reached out

From the Depths of my pain

You showed me how to love

You helped me to live again.

Written by: Maura Buckley
Trinity Horizon Programme – 1996/97

……….

You can’t bulldoze me

I want to be free

You won’t give me a chance

It takes a long time

To learn how to dance

I go to the edge sixty miles up,

To the border with space

Where I am drawn by force

To the Horizon Course

And with one small step for womankind

A GIANT LEAP FOR MY MIND

Helen Kirwan
Trinity Horizon Programme 1996/97
Perfection

………..

Traits – a trait that ranks high with the 15 participants of the Trinity Horizon Programme is Perfection. Perfection imposes high standards and leads to odious comparisons. If one’s mood level is low, there is self-criticism to depend on. Cognitively, this needs to be addressed and a change of attitude is a good start.

Quotation: Carl Rogers – Psychologist
He was about to commence his seminar on ‘Unconditional Positive Regard’ during a therapeutic Session. Before starting, Carl Rogers stated the following:-

‘I realize there is something I do before I start a session.
I let myself know that I AM ENOUGH

NOT PERFECT.

PERFECT would not be good.

There is nothing a man can say or do or feel that I can’t feel in myself.

I AM ENOUGH

Contribution: Michelle Clarke
Trinity Horizon Programme 1996/97
Quotation given to me by Sean Collins, Psychologist, who I was attending at that time.

We shall not cease from exploration
And at the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we have started
and know the place for the first time.

T.S. Eliot – 4 Quartets

Rainer Maria Rilke
Letters to a Young Poet

Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves…

Do not seek the answers,
that cannot be given to you because you would not be able to live them.

And the point is to live everything.
Live the questions now.

Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it,

live along some distant day into the answer’.

Mandela, Nelson

Inaugural Speech

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure
It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
You are a child of God
Your playing small doesn’t serve the world
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that
other people won’t feel insecure around you
We are born to make manifest the glory of God
that is within us
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously
give other people permission to do the same

AS WE ARE LIBERATED FROM OUR OWN FEAR,
OUR PRESENCE AUTOMATICALLY LIBERATES OTHERS

Last year, 1999, Nelson Mandela received an honorary doctorate at Trinity College. The students stood in the rain to greet this great man. I was unable to stand in the crowds, fear had once again taken over my personality. However, I was meant to see him and I did as he walked down the steps accompanied by Tony O’Reilly to the car that was waiting to take him away from Trinity. Hopefully, this will form a lasting memory. There were no crowds just droplets of rain…………………

COURAGE

Courage is the price that Life exacts for granting peace
The soul that knows it not
Knows no release from little things:
Knows not the livid loneliness of fear
Nor mountain heights where bitter joy can hear
The sound of wings

How can life grant us the boon of living, compensate
For dull grey ugliness and pregnant hate?
Unless we dare the soul’s dominion
Each time we make a choice, we pay
with courage to behold the restless day,
And count it fair.

By Amelia Earhart.

Sent by Liesl, my South African Anam Cara: June 2002

THE ORIGINAL CHILD

Cistercian Monk Thomas Merton

I found this poem in 2001 in search of personal inner peace.  Each year I try to remember to circulate it; joining Twitter ensures that my canisgallicus followers receive the links too; alongside those on my email address list.

This poem should be on every school/college curriculum to prepare children to enable children to think and explore the present war conflicts that leave us vulnerable again to nuclear devastation.

1: In the year 1945 an Original Child was born. The name Original Child was given to it by the Japanese people, who recognized that it was the first of its kind.

2: On April 12th, 1945, Mr. Harry Truman became the President of the United States, which was then fighting the second world war. Mr. Truman was a vice president who became president by accident when his predecessor died of a cerebral hemorrhage. He did not know as much about the war as the president before him did. He knew a lot less about the war than many people did.

About one hour after Mr. Truman became president, his aides told him about a new bomb which was being developed by atomic scientists. They called it the “atomic bomb”. They said scientists had been working on it for six years and that it had so far cost two billion dollars. They added that its power was equal to that of twenty thousand tons of TNT. A single bomb could destroy a city. One of those present added, in a reverent tone, that the new explosive might eventually destroy the whole world.

But Admiral Leahy told the president the bomb would never work.

3: President Truman formed a committee of men to tell him if this bomb would work, and if so, what he should do with it. Some members of this committee felt that the bomb would jeopardize the future of civilization. They were against its use. Others wanted it to be used in demonstrations on a forest of cryptomeria trees, but not against a civil or military target. Many atomic scientists warned that the use of atomic power in war would be difficult and even impossible to control. The danger would be very great. Finally, there were others who believed that if the bomb were used just once or twice, on one or two Japanese cities, there would be no more war. They believed the new bomb would product eternal peace.

4: In June 1945 the Japanese government was taking steps to negotiate for peace. On one hand the Japanese ambassador tried to interest the Russian government in acting as a go-between with the United States. On the other hand, an unofficial approach was made secretly through Mr. Allen Dulles in Switzerland. The Russians said they were not interested and that they would not negotiate. Nothing was done about the other proposal which was not official. The Japanese High Command was not in favor of asking for peace, but wanted to continue the war, even if the Japanese mainland were invaded. The generals believed that the war should continue until everybody was dead. The Japanese generals were professional soldiers.

5: In the same month of June, the President’s committee decided that the new bomb should be dropped on a Japanese city. This would be a demonstration of the bomb on a civil and military target. As “demonstration” it would be a kind of a “show”. “Civilians” all over the world love a good “show”. The “destructive” aspect of the bomb would be “military”.

6: The same committee also asked if America’s friendly ally, the Soviet Union, should be informed of the atomic bomb. Someone suggested that this information would make the Soviet Union even more friendly than it was already. But all finally agreed that the Soviet Union was now friendly enough.

7: There was discussion about which city should be selected as the first target. Some wanted it to be Kyoto, an ancient capital of Japan and a center of the Buddhist religion. Others said no, this would cause bitterness. As a result of a chance conversation, Mr. Stimson, the Secretary of War, had recently read up on the history and beauties of Kyoto. He insisted that this city should be left untouched. Some wanted Tokyo to be the first target, but others argued that Tokyo had already been practically destroyed by fire raids and could no longer be considered a “target.” So it was decided Hiroshima was the most opportune target, as it had not yet been bombed at all. Lucky Hiroshima!

What others had experienced over a period of four years would happen to Hiroshima in a single day!

Much time would be saved, and “time is money!”

8: When they bombed Hiroshima they would put the following out of business: The Ube Nitrogen Fertilizer Company; the Ube Soda Company; the Nippon Motor Oil Company; the Sumitoma Chemical Company; and most of the inhabitants.

9:  At this time some atomic scientists protested again, warning that the use of the bomb in war would tend to make the United States unpopular. But the President’s committee was by now fully convinced that the bomb had to be used. Its use would arouse the attention of the Japanese military class and give them food for thought.

Stanza 10:
Admiral Leahy renewed his declaration that the bomb would not explode.

Stanza 11:
On the 4th of July, when the United States in displays of fireworks celebrates its independence from British rule, the British and Americans agreed together that the bomb ought to be used against Japan.

Stanza 12:
On July 7th the Emperor of Japan pleaded with the Soviet Government to act as a mediator for peace between Japan and the Allies. Molotov said the question would be “studied”. In order to facilitate this “Study” Soviet troops in Siberia prepared to attack the Japanese. The Allies had, in any case, been urging Russia to join the war against Japan. However, now that the atomic bomb was nearly ready, some thought it would be better if the Russians took a rest.

Stanza 13:
The time was coming for the new bomb to be tested, in the new Mexico desert. A name was chosen to designate this secret operation. It was called “TRINITY”

Stanza 14:
At 5.30 a.m. on July 16th, 1945, a plutonium bomb was successfully exploded in the desert of Alamogordo, New Mexico. It was suspended from a nine hundred-foot steel tower which evaporated. There was a fireball a mile wide. The great flash could be seen for a radius of 250 miles. A blind woman miles away said she perceived light. There was a cloud of smoke 40,000 feet, high. It was shaped like a toadstool.

Stanza 15:
Many who saw the experiment expressed their satisfaction in religious terms. A semi-official report even quoted a religious book – the New Testament – “Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief”. There was an atmosphere of devotion. It was a great act of faith. They believed the explosion was exceptionally powerful.

Stanza 16:
Admiral Leahy, still a “doubting Thomas”, said that the bomb would not explode when dropped from a plane over a city. Others may have had faith, but he had his own variety of “HOPE”.

Stanza 17:
On July 21st a full written report of the explosion reached President Truman at Potsdam. The report was documented by pictures. President Truman read the report and looked at the pictures before starting out for the conference. When he left his mood was jaunty and his step was light.

Stanza 18:
That afternoon Mr. Stimson called on Mr. Churchill, and laid before him a sheet of paper bearing a code message about the successful test. This message read “Babies satisfactorily born”. Mr. Churchill was quick to realize that there was more in this than met the eye. Mr. Stimson satisfied his legitimate curiosity.

Stanza 19:
On this same day sixty atomic scientists who knew of the test signed a petition that the bomb should not be used against Japan without a convincing warning and an opportunity to surrender.

At this time the U.S.S. Indianapolis, which had left San Francisco on the 18th, was sailing toward the Island of Tinian, with some U 235 in a lead bucket. The fissionable material was about the size of a softball, but there was enough for one atomic bomb. Instructions were that if the ship sank, the uranium was to be SAVED FIRST BEFORE ANY LIFE. The mechanism of the bomb was on board the U.S.S. Indianapolis, but it was not yet assembled.

Stanza 20:
On July 26th the Potsdam declaration was issued. An ultimatum was given to Japan: “Surrender unconditionally or be destroyed”. Nothing was said about the new bomb. But pamphlets dropped all over Japan threatened “an enormous bombardment”, if the army would not surrender. On July 26th the U.S.S. Indianapolis arrived at Tinian and the bomb was delivered.

Stanza 21:
On July 28th, since the Japanese High Command wished to continue the war, the ultimatum was rejected. A censored version of the ultimatum appeared in the Japanese press with the comment that it was “an attempt to drive a wedge between the military and the Japanese people”. But the Emperor continued to hope that the Russians, after “studying” his proposal, would help to negotiate a peace. On July 30th Mr. Stimson revised a draft of the announcement that was to be made after the bomb was dropped on the Japanese target. The statement was much better than the original draft.
Stanza 22:
On August 1st the bomb was assembled in an air conditioned hut on Tinian. Those who handled the bomb referred to it as “Little Boy”. THEIR CARE FOR THE ORIGINAL CHILD WAS DEVOTED AND TENDER.

Stanza 23:
On August 2nd President Truman was the guest of His Majesty King George VI on board the H.M.S. Renown in Plymouth Harbor. The atomic bomb was praised. Admiral Leahy, who was present, declared that the bomb would not work. His Majesty George VI offered a small WAGER TO THE CONTRARY.

STANZA 24:
On August 2nd a special message from the Japanese Foreign Minister was sent to the Japanese Minister in Moscow. “It is requested that further efforts be exerted….Since the loss of one day may result in a thousand years of regret, it is requested that you immediately have a talk with Molotov”. But Molotov did not return from Potsdam until the day the bomb fell.

STANZA 25:
On the 4th the bombing crew on Tinian watched a movie of “Trinity” (the Alamogordo Test). August 5th was a Sunday but there was little time for formal worship. They said a quick prayer that the war might end “very soon”. On that day, Col. Tibbetts, who was in command of the B-29 that was to drop the bomb, felt that his bomber ought to have a name. He baptized it ENOLA GAY, AFTER HIS MOTHER IN IOWA. Col. Tibbetts was a well balanced man, and not sentimental. He did not have a nervous break-down after the bombing, LIKE SOME OF THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CREW.

STANZA 26:
On Sunday afternoon “Little Boy” was brought out in procession and devoutly tucked away in the womb of Enola Gay. That evening few were able to sleep. THEY WERE AS EXCITED AS LITTLE BOYS ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

STANZA 27:
At 1.37 a.m. August 6th the weather scout plane took off. It was named the Straight Flush, in reference to the mechanical action of a water closet. There was picture of one, to make this evident.

STANZA 28:
At the last minute before taking off, Col. Tibbetts changed the secret radio call sign from “Visitor” to “Dimples”. The bombing Mission would be a kind of FLYING SMILE.
STANZA 29:
At 2.45 a.m. Enola Gay got off the ground with difficulty. Over Iwo Jima she met her escort, two more B-29’s, one which was called the Great Artiste. Together they proceeded to Japan.

STANZA 30:
At 6.40 they climbed to 31,000 feet, the bombing altitude. The sky was clear. It was a perfect morning.

STANZA 31:
At. 3.09 they reached Hiroshima and started the bomb run. The city was full of sun. The fliers could see the green grass in the gardens. No fighters rose up to meet them. There was no flak. NO-ONE IN THE CITY BOTHERED TO TAKE COVER.

STANZA 32:
The bomb exploded within 100,000 feet of the aiming point. The fireball was 18,000 feet across. The temperature at the centre of the fireball was 100,000,000 degrees. The people who were near the centre became nothing. The whole city was blown to bits and the ruins all caught fire instantly everywhere burning briskly. 70,000 people were killed right away or died within a few hours. Those who did not die at once suffered great pain. Few of them were soldiers.

STANZA 33:
The men in the plane perceived that the raid had been successful, but they thought of the people in the city and they were not perfectly happy. Some felt they had done wrong. But in any case they had obeyed orders “IT WAS WAR”

STANZA 34:
Over the radio went the code message that the bomb had been successful: “Visible effects greater than Trinity…Proceeding to Papacy.

“PAPACY WAS A CODE NAME FOR TINIAN

STANZA 35:
It took a little while for the rest of Japan to find out what had happened to Hiroshima. Papers were forbidden to publish any news of the new bomb. A four-line item said that Hiroshima had been hit by incendiary bombs and added: “It seems that some damage was caused to the city and its vicinity”.

STANZA 36:
Then the military governor of the Prefecture of Hiroshima issued a proclamation full of martial spirit. To all the people without hands, without feet, with their faces falling off, with their intestines hanging out, with their whole bodies full of radiation, he declared: “We must not rest a single day in our war effort….We must bear in mind that annihilation of the stubborn enemy is our road to revenge”. HE WAS A PROFESSIONAL SOLDIER.

STANZA 37:
On August 8th Molotov finally summoned the Japanese Ambassador. At last neutral Russia would give an answer to the Emperor’s inquiry. Molotov said coldly that the Soviet Union was declaring WAR ON JAPAN.

STANZA 38:
On August 9th another bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, though Hiroshima was still burning. On August 11th the Emperor overruled his high command and accepted the peace terms dictated at Potsdam. Yet for three days discussion continued, until on August 14th the surrender was made public and final.

STANZA 39:
Even then the Soviet troops thought they ought to fight in Manchuria “just a little longer”. They felt that even though they could not, at this time, be of help in Japan, it would be worthwhile if they displayed their goodwill in Manchuria, or even in Korea.

STANZA 40:
As the Original Child that was born, President Truman summed up the philosophy of the situation in a few words.

“WE FOUND THE BOMB, he said, AND WE USED IT”

STANZA 40:
Since that summer many other bombs have been “FOUND”.

WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN?
AT THE TIME OF WRITING (1960’S), AFTER A SEASON OF BRISK SPECULATION, MEN SEEM TO BE FATIGUED BY THE WHOLE QUESTION.

Thomas Merton – Cistercian Monk

August 2015

Today’s Irish Independent newspaper reports the tensions relating to IRA and the accusation that PIRA still exist.  Stormont could be in jeopardy.  We forget that Prime Minister Cameron talks about changing the Human Rights legislation that is the origin of the Good Friday Agreement.

This poem was published in the Irish Times Tuesday 12th March 2015 titled ‘Schoolgirls’ ode to the good side of Belfast.  A 13 year old school girl, Taylor Blackstock and her year 9 classmates at Ashfield Girls’ School wrote this poem.  Article written by Gerry Moriarty, Irish Times.

“Pretty in the rain: Belfast’s treasures invoked in the poem, including from top right the Albert Clock, George Best and Cyprus Avenue”.

Song of Ashfield

I am the school bell that peals in Avoniel

I am CS Lewis exploring my wardrobe

I am the crepes in St George’s Market on Saturday morning

I am the ghost in the Scrabo Tower

I am a tick-tock in the Albert Clock

I am the fireworks display in the Odyssey

I am the gills on the Salmon of Knowledge in the Lagan

I am the Cavehill, where the harsh winds blow

I am the oil dripping on to the boats in the shipyard

I am the granite in the Mourne Mountains, covered in haunting mist

I am a neighbour of Van the Man’s on Cyprus Avenue

I am Madam George going south on North Street

I am the club swung by Rory McIlroy on Sunday afternoon

I am the lace on the boot of George Best

I am the lost suitcase at George Best’s Airport

I am the bird following the plane’s vapour trail

I am the smell of cinnamon at Christmas at the City Hall

I am a mashed Comber spud with gravy

I am the unsolved mystery in Mount Stewart

I am the Titanic slipping down the April sea

I am an iceberg floating in my memory

We are Samson and Goliath

The yellow cranes waiting for our ship to return

I AM BELFAST

BELFAST IS ME

Feedback:

What a relief to me the voice in the wilderness. Adaptive technology moves me beyond Ireland to global.

June 20, 2008 23:17

Brain Trauma among US Vets from Iraq

Zimbabwe:  The Irish

Mashonaland Irish Association held its Centenary in the 1990’s. 

We too often forget our colonial history.  The Dominican nuns and Mother Patrick…..

Aidan Cowan, one of life’s true gentleman, buried in Zimbabwe, recorded so many editions
of ‘Nuacht’, the Mashonaland Irish Associations, newsletter.  I have located just a few but lest he and people of his ilk be completely forgotten I pay tribute to their endeavours as true emigrants from Ireland by copying this edition, which I must have typed on his behalf because it somehow remains on my computer.

Failte; We welcome to our association Mrs L Straw and we welcome 
back to the Hibernian fold Mrs Mary Bogorra, mother of the concert 
pianist Manuel Bogorro: here it may be opportune to remind our 
readers that their non Irish friends are very welcome to join us as 
associate members. An especial welcome would be extended to those 
from the kindred Society which has sadly folded so you don't have 
to be Irish to "come into the parlour". Another reminder; your 
annual subscriptions!!

What have we been up to?
Well, it's long long ago now but for record purposes I must mention
that there was a Children's Christmas Party which was hosted by 
the then Mashonaland Irish Association "MIA" President, Padraig 
Connolly and Helen, his Bean Fein.  There were fewer children than
the previous year but nevertheless there were no cokes, sweets, 
cakes or ice creams left over.  In the evening when the Mums had 
corralled the children, the lads and some ladies adjourned to the 
warmth of the bar where the usualhooley ensued.

At Borrowdale on the 12th of March 1993 the special and very good 
relations that exist between the MIA and the Mashonaland Turf Club 
worked to the advantage of members of our Committee.  They were 
guests of the M.T.C. President for "Irish" Day.  They were treated 
to a sumptuous lunch and moved among the kings and queens (female) 
of the racing world, while I, down among the povo, bought a sausage 
roll for herself and a hamburger for little me, then proceeded 
to add to my chalk up of game little losers.

St. Patrick's Day Golf was held at Wingate Golf Club on the Saint's 
own name day, the 17th of March.  There was a field of 140 players,
all of whom finished, to the wonder and amazement of some Wingatians 
who early in the day were whispering "Watch the Paddies bugger up 
this 'lot'", that field will never be completed".  To their credit, 
the very same people, were the first to acknowledge later in the day, 
that the tournament was exceptionally well organised and ran 
"on smooth well oiled wheels". (By the day's end, the wheels were 
not the only things well oiled).

Prizes worth well over $4,000 (excluding Zimbabwe Sun's donations of 
weekend holidays details later) were donated, which indicates the
professional begging talents of some Committee members.

John Kelly, the President of Wingate expressed his thanks to the 
Irish Association and hoped that the St. Patrick's Day Golf 
tournament would remain an annual event on the Wingate Calendar in 
the future, as it has done for so many years in the past.

The Tony O'Sullivan Trophy was won by Connaught, and looking at them, 
ably led by Fr. Jim Doyle a Catholic Christian. I said to herself,
"The assembly of God' You'd be more likely to find an Irishman 
among Jack Charlton's boys than find a true Connaught man in 
that lot". "You're a terrible begruddger", herself replied.

The John Sisk Trophy went to John Gallagher with an excellent 
score of 39 points: Michael Coyne won the Charles Harris Trophy; 
Michael's form was such that we may be seeing Nicky Price Mk II, 
in the making.

When the garden furniture prize, the huge hamper and all the other 
prizes were locked safely away, the bar was filled, then over 
filled, the craic was on, and the fragrant aroma of hops, malt 
and barley, permeated the air. The Irish were at their jubilant, 
extrovertial, happy, spontaneous, lovable best once again.

St. Patrick's Night Ball was held at the Monomatapa Hotel on 
Saturday 19th March 1993.  It was fully booked, to the delight of 
all, and to the relief of Raph Keegan and Kathy Keen.  Raph and 
Kathy were the chief organisers for the MIA and the Mono 
respectively.  (Watching how bookings are going when time of a 
function is drawing near, must be an ulcer making experience for 
those who must ultimately carry the can).

The Ball was advertised, 7.30 for 8.00 p.m., and doors to the 
function room were closed to the early comers.  This turned out to 
be whether intentionally or not an excellent idea for it created 
"a let's get to know each other quickly mood", and in an ante area 
we co mixed amicably.  The area itself was a delight to the eye 
and a pleasure to the olfactory senses; flower arrangements 
everywhere and Bord Failte posters on the wall.

The decor for both the area ante the function room, and the function 
room itself was designed by June Cartwright, a very talented lady, 
who I am told does this sort of work in her spare time only.  One 
original and apt piece of decorative design, created, I am sure, 
by artistic hands other than those of June Cartwright, was to be 
found on the door to the Gents loo where someone had affixed to 
the genital area of the little male with legs apart symbol, 
a bunch of recently watered shamrock.

At 8 p.m. the doors to the function room were opened and Wow! what a 
visual impact, the decor artist had thematically decorated the hall.
There were huge Tara broaches, harps, shamrocks, leprechauns, gaelic
prayers and greetings and still more Bord Failte posters, 
furthermore, there were bouquets of flowers about 2 metres tall 
affixed, somehow, to all the walls. The stunning floral 
arrangements were donated by Bell's Florist.

We went to our tables, the place was alive with waiters and 
waitresses, the Quick Silver Band, already on their rostrum, 
struck up the tune Phil The Fluters Ball and I called out 
"Waitress Please", there's nothing queer about Peter from Wexford.

Paul Robinson was M.C. and organiser of entertainment. He did both
jobs in his usual professional manner.  Paul welcomed us all in 
Gaelic and then in English, he then called on an tAthair Seamus 
O'Dubleigh (Fr. Jim Doyle) to say Grace and to my surprise, 
Fr. Doyle said Grace in Gaelic.  I was not aware that he was of the
Gaelic esoteric set, but fair play to you Jim.

Dinner was swiftly served, swiftly too was it consumed as the 
portions were barely visible to the naked eye, and I maybe wrong 
as I am no gourmet, but I had upon my plate strips of what looked
like, and tasted like, potato skins and my suspicions are that 
somebody told the chef that the Irish like "their potatoes in 
their jackets", especially at a St. Patrick's Day function, but 
the chef got the message wrong.  Apart from the skins and the 
minikin portions the meal otherwise,was first class.

The meal kicked off with Smoked Salmon, full marks. This was 
followed by Celery and Potato Soup, first class. Then came either 
Baked Gammon or Irish Stew.  I chose Gammon, those who chose the 
Stew may have fared better. The Sweet was excellent, Bailey's Cream 
on Apple Pie, all rounded off with a glass of Irish Coffee, 
"on the house", and the band played on.

Helen Connolly, the wife of our then MIA President, gave the first 
toast, "Zimbabwe, the country in which we live". Helen spoke first 
in Gaelic and then in English.  Here I mention, en passant, that 
at College, Helen majored in Gaelic languages.  In previous 
newsletters, I have extolled the quality of her voice and projection
so I shall not embarrass the lady with excessive praise, I will, 
however, pass on the remark made by another at our table when she 
had given the toast "I don't know a word of Irish, but she sure 
makes prose sound like poetry".

A guest speaker, Sr. Catherine Jackson, came to the 'Mike'. Guest 
Speaker a nun?  Any doubts were soon dispelled for this very smart 
lady managed to capture us in her very first sentence.  "Only the 
Irish would celebrate St. Patrick on the feast of St. Joseph".  
The remark received great applause and we soon learned to our joy 
that the first humorous remark was to be followed by many, many more.  
Time and time again her speech was interrupted by applause and 
guffaws of laughter.  This nun was a Stand Up Comedienne, but 
entwined with the comedy the serious business was now and then 
revealed.  Sr. Catherine has started a Braille Library, which will 
serve not only Zimbabwe, but the whole region, the project needs 
machinery for Braille printing which means money -
Can we help?

A member of the Committee has told me that the Braille Library 
has been placed high on the Mashonaland Irish Association Charity 
List, and I think those of us not living in a world of perpetual 
darkness will agree.  When the nun gave us the toast to Ireland 
the Land of our birth,she received a spontaneous and very deserving 
standing ovation.  I don't know who 'found' Sr. Catherine Jackson, 
but whoever it was can take a bow for he/she made a great 
contribution to the success of the night.

Our Vice President, Raph Keegan, welcomed our Special Guests from 
the Kindred Societies, and expressed his regret to learn that 
Mr.Whitley would be hanging up his Chain of Office as the Yorks and
Lancs were ceasing to function as an ethnic society.  He got a few 
laughs but essentially it was as it had to be a serious speech, 
as all donors must be acknowledged and it was a very long list 
indeed, so we owe our sincere thanks to:

Wheelan Associates, Architects;
Lamont Engineering, Consultants;
The Fitzwilliam Partnership, Quantity Surveyors;
John Sisk; Contractors;
Costain (Africa); Contractors;
Ascon Testing Laboratories;
Lorenzo Simion Metal Work;
Hancock and Ward Plumbing;
Minet Insurance;
Steelforce Reinforcing;
Precast Concrete;
Crittall Hope Doors and Windows;
JAK Engineering;
Neeves Ironcraft;
Ceely Electric;
Shane Moran;
Frank Pentony;
John Hall;
Instalite and John Gallagher.  
(The list presented in no particular order).

The Zimbabwe Sun donated free weekends for two at many of the 
Zimbabwe hotels which included the top notch resorts such as 
Elephant Hills, Bumi Hills, Montclair Casino and a number of 
free days at Sun City in South Africa of which we shall hear later.
We certainly benefited from holding our function at the Monomatapa.  
Raph proposed a toast to our Special Guests, our sponsors and absent
friends, and the band played on.

Mr. Whitley, the President of the now defunct Yorks and Lancs said
a few words of regret about the passing of his small Society, a 
few words about memories of past years and no doubt we shall be 
seeing him and his wife at the next St. Patrick's Night Ball.  
Brian Black, Vice Chairman of the Mashonaland Turf Club replied 
on behalf of the Special Guests to Raph's speech.  His was quite 
a witty speech despite some friendly banter from his own group 
situated at the far end of the hall.

As I went to enjoy myself and not to be a pseudo reporter with pen 
going at a maniacal pace jotting down every word spoken, I think 
it was Mr. Black who told an "Irish" joke the gist of which was, 
Mick and Pat are the Don Juans of the village and they were wont 
to exchange details of their sexual conquests, but on this occasion,
Mick was troubled as he had broken their unwritten code and bonked 
a married woman.  Pat was sympathetic and told Mick he should 
go for confession to Fr. Murphy. Mick did as suggested, he told 
Fr. Murphy that he had done the dirty thing with a married woman.  
"Mrs. Kelly, I suppose", said the priest. "Ah no, Father", Mick 
replied. "Tell me then, would it have been Mrs. Nulty?" the priest 
asked. "Ah no, Father but I couldn't tell you who".  The priest 
gave him absolution and Mick went out to his friend.
"How did it go Mick, any problems?".  "No problem at all Pat and 
we have got two new names".

Brian Black had brought very amusingly to an end all the speeches, 
the lights were lowered and the first couple on the dance floor 
were our pet Dublin atheist and Muriel Ryan, soon they were followed
by other couples until the floor was crowded with happy revelers and
serious romantics.  Later in the night, Muriel drifted from her
partner not the atheist and gave us a solo performance that was a 
cross between balletic grace and Gallic apache abandon and if you 
can't imagine that, how the hell do you expect me to describe it, 
enough for me to say, it was a memorable performance that was 
right down to earth and the band played on; and there were
plenty of spot prizes.  Eventually the Quick Silver Band with a very 
competent Perry Como type of singer took a break.  (The band was 
very good right through the night). During this break, Paul 
Robinson told us about Paddy Mk I, out on the mountain tending 
sheep and courting couples in some asshole area of the 
emerald plot and how the poor devil formed his first church and 
generally acted in a manner appropriate to sainthood.

John Humphries, tenor, gave us a few songs, and when he sang the 
Rose of Tralee, we in true Irish fashion, all joined in. I have 
always felt sorry for Rose, for she only had one eye; "It was not 
her beauty alone that won me, ah no, 'twas the truth in 
her eye ever dawning that made me love Mary, the Rose of Tralee".  
Not to be outdone by the laity, Fr. Jim Doyle a Baritone golfer sang
a number of songs and as John Paul II has forbidden the priests and 
nuns to read an Nuacht, someone will have to pass on this piece of 
praise.  Jim is always good for a song, he has a strong 
but musically sweet singing voice, but on this occasion he was at his 
best and his Fields of Athenry was a delightful rendering of that 
emotionally disturbing near hymn. Paul Robinson, this time on 
the electronic contraption known I think as a synthesizer, but 
sounding like a piano played Nocturne by little known Irish 
composer, John Field.  (It was Field who gave the same Nocturne to 
the particular kind of music and Chopin admitted being influenced by
the Irishman).  Claire McKenna a very competent flautist 
played some numbers suited to the instrument including the Foster 
and Allen "Bunch of Thyme".  Her brother later joined on the Bodran
(I think that is a wrong spelling) and together they played some 
lively jigs to which Colette O'Brien danced.  Barry McCurdy, looking
like, and sounding like, Ian Paisley, gave us an hilarious "sermon"
on the Wrath of God due to the Papist devils spreading their ever 
growing testicles across the world; a very funny performance indeed.  
Kathy Keen and Dave Hipwell were in charge of raffles and the main 
prize, four days at Sun City, was won by the Ryans, Ken and Muriel, 
who had traveled from Ireland for the Ball (they have been doing so 
for many years). The Ryans had a little head to head chat, then Ken 
stood up and announced they would re donate the prize which Dave 
Hipwell was requested to auction, and the money accrued to be given 
to Sr. Catherine for her braille library.  What a marvellous 
and generous gesture.

Dave started the bid "Right, starting at Two Fifty".  "Three Hundred" 
another, "Three Fifty" and so it went "Four Hundred".  A young lady 
in a lovely green dress, probably a bit impatient, jumped to her 
feet and shouted "Eight Hundred" and before another could bid, she 
out bid herself with "Eight Fifty". Her escort didn't faint but he 
took a swift gulp of whiskey.  The young lady's four hundred and 
fifty dollars jump to the bidding seems to have inspired those at 
the Horsey table.  I think it was Brian Black who shouted "One 
Thousand Five Hundred", was that Tony O'Sullivan who shouted 
"Two Thousand Five Hundred"? Now, I'm pretty certain that none
of these people was really interested in a visit to Sun City, their 
interest was in Sr. Catherine's library and with a spirit of fun and 
great generosity, they outbid each other until Henk Leyenaar reached 
either Three Thousand Five Hundred or Four Thousand Dollars.  
What a grand gesture by these people and what a joy to the heart 
of Sr. Catherine Jackson, O.P.

It was now time to select the best dressed (in green) lady in the 
hall, and the ladies were called to the fore. Being a lousy reporter,
I forgot to get the name of the winner.  I thought the girls 
looked lovely but a thin lipped libber at our table said 
"Disgraceful, parading young girls like heifers ready for market".  
"I agree with you said the atheist, sure its flying in the face 
of God". More dancing then, 12 O'Clock, midnight, and the band 
played on.

Get Well Soon.
We were sorry to hear that Kitty Bishop broke her leg in a recent 
fall.
Gerry Ryan has also undergone surgery.
We wish them both a speedy
recovery.

We were shocked at the news of the passing of Tom Coyne, a long 
standing and respected member of our association.  One word came up 
time and time again in the many notices of condolences, that word 
was Gentleman and this writer cannot think of a more appropriate 
description except, perhaps, to prefix itwith the word

"Kind".

The President of Mashonaland Irish Association, his Committee and all 
the members extend our deepest sympathy to the bereaved Coyne family.

Forthcoming
Family Day, Sunday 11th September 1993

To be held at the home of Padraig & Helen Connolly, further
details will be sent out at a later date.

18 Cheshire Road, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe

14th November 1993

Dear Sue,

Many thanks for your letter of 18th August and sorry for this long delay in replying. There surely can be no excuses given the writer is a lady of leisure with nothing important to do other than be a boring expat wife here in Zimbabwe. Despite this my time just disappears and my best intentions are left to one side. You are being spared my awful writing as my famous Prudential-Bache word-processor survived the trip to Harare, Zimbabwe by Ship from the UK. Can you believe it? I sure can’t. It is marvelous to have it here as it makes administration of personal items so much easier.

You mention about visiting. Presently it is summer and the rainy season and given that I arrived this time last year and experienced the rainy season here I would not advocate traveling at this time of year. It is hot, humid, cloudy and generally quite unpleasant with massive electric lightening storms. Winter time is April to August and this is a joy. The days are warm and the evenings cool. It is sheer contrast so one feels the drop in temperature. Having said this, it is unlikely that you will notice the change coming from the English climate, it is only those of us who become softened to the Zimbabwean climate. In winter, the skies are bright blue and cloudless, the poinsettia trees are a beautiful display of red to contrast with the blue, and general the vegetation is lush. If you travel to Victoria Falls, there is an abundance of water after the rainy season and if you decide to visit Lake Kariba, one of the largest man made lakes in the world, the temperatures which are 40 degrees+ these days, are in the bearable 20’s in winter.

Shane (my brother) came in July, mid winter, but he loved it. It can be cold in Harare as it is 1600 m above sea level i.e. higher than any mountain range in the UK but once you travel down to the low veld which comprise the tourist sites then it is considerably warmer and pleasant for people coming from the UK.  We will be home at Christmas and plan to spend one week in the UK in January so we will show you the photos and try and entice you to visit.

……………………………………

Exercise you ask am I doing much? Well, you know my resistance to such pursuits but alas Africa dictates that I must become fit. I keep putting on weight despite efforts to lose it so I can only conclude that it is the more sedentary life I now lead which causes the weight gain. I have taken up horse riding twice a week and two weeks ago I started at the local gym, two mornings per week. Luckily the horse riding, which we took up in June,
had limbered me up somewhat in preparation for the gym.

……………………………….

Well what else have I been doing? The answer is quite a lot. As I am not permitted to work here, I have decided to do some charity work and have joined Sr. Noreen Nolan and Sr. Margaret McAllen at Mashambanzou and go there on Tuesday’s and Friday’s to assist them with their administrative needs. It is very interesting work and completely different to anything I have done in the past. The Norwegian Aid Agency, Norad, provided Mashambanzou with a brand new computer. What’s more, it has Wordperfect 6 as a
wordprocessing package, which will enable me to be up-to-date when I return
to the workplace next year, as it is the latest version.

Mashambanzou was established by Sr. Noreen and Sr. Margaret in 1989. The funds for the buildings were provided by Norad. Two vehicles were provided by other Aid Agencies and it was Mashambanzou that Princess Diana visited on her recent tour of Zimbabwe. As you know she is very involved in the Aids cause. Sr. Margaret takes care of the patients. Sr. Noreen is responsible for co-ordinating a team to educate people about safe sex etc. These are remarkable nuns, they deal with the reality and do not bow and scrape to Rome. They identify the needs at grass roots level and then act accordingly. At present Mashambanzou has five beds. The latest admission is a 17 year old girl who is dying. They have set up a co-operative and women with the virus are encouraged to come to work there. They presently have 35 women. They do piece work, nothing too hard and for this they are fed and receive small remuneration. They contribute out of their meagre wages to the burial fund which as you can imagine has numerous demands made on it. The week before last, one family lost one daughter on the Monday and another daughter on the Friday.  It is common for several people to die of the virus in the same family. The
statistics are horrendous. They are working on figures of 1 in 5 at presenting Zimbabwe and 1 in 3 in Ghana. The numbers are doubling every 10 months. Mashambanzou have a nursery school for 20 children, all of whom have the virus. These are the children of those working in the co-operative. The little one’s are so cute but their lot in life is so very sad.

Barbara Mercer and I have decided that we will give a party each month for the children so our task is to raise funds. We started last week and approached the President and Vice President of the Mashonaland Irish Association. The MIA were having their usual fancy dress Halloween party on Saturday so we persuaded them to allow us have a raffle. We made $720 which will go a long way in giving a party for these little children. It was great
to get the funds and the nuns are delighted with our plan. The next thing we must do is organize the party which we plan to do today.

So Sue, I hope this letter finds you well. It was great to hear you on the phone that morning we phoned. Give our love to Katharine and Matthew and
we look forward to seeing you all in January.

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