Ireland’s dark past lives on

PADDY Cannon’s search for his family finally had a happy ending but it is also another reminder of a dark past.

Although Paddy never got to meet his mother he at least has the satisfaction of linking up with siblings and extended family.

Such reunions shine a light into a very dark place where youngsters were exported like cattle to foreign lands leaving them with an uncertain future and a non-existent past.

Sadly the actions of past decades still haunts the present as last week it was revealed seven Magdalene laundry survivors died without receiving a penny in compensation.

It is one thing recognising the horrors of the past, paying for them seems of less concern to this State.