HSE failed foster home abuse kids
THE horrific sexual abuse suffered by Rachel Barry and others at the hands of evil predator Keith Burke is sickening.
She was first raped by the paedophile at the age of nine and described herself as feeling “dirty” afterwards.
Burke preyed on Rachel and two others while they were in foster care in his family home.
What’s frightening about it all is that Rachel told gardai about the sickening abuse but the HSE decided to still leave children there.
The abuse lasted three years before, at the age of 11, Rachel broke down and told her biological mother in 2007.
RTE reported that two months after her disclosure the HSE decided “Amy”, who was also abused by Burke, and another foster child, should stay at the house.
Tusla said in a statement it, along with the HSE, have been involved with the victims’ lives for a number of years and in some cases this involvement continues today.
One has to ask how were children allowed to stay in the home? Every child in foster care should feel loved and cared for, not terrified of being violently raped and abused.
Burke was handed a mere six-and-a-half-year sentence earlier this month for his crimes.
He has escaped easily compared to the life sentence his victims have been handed.
They will never be able to forget what happened to them. ICONIC Irish festival Trip to Tipp is set to be revived this year, it has been revealed.
The event, dubbed Ireland’s first modern music festival, will be returning to Semple Stadium on September 22.
The Trip to Tipp was officially known as Feile and hosted some of Ireland’s top gigs throughout the 90s.
And now the Thurles festival is returning as Feile Classical, a one-day seated event in the Tipperary GAA grounds.
Legendary Irish bands and Trip to Tipp veterans including The Stunning, Hothouse Flowers, An Emotional Fish and Something Happens are lined up to collaborate with the Irish Chamber Orchestra.
Something Happens singer and Newstalk broadcaster Tom Dunne is set to host the early autumn event.
He said: “The Feiles and Italia 90 tend to merge in my head.
“[It was] a time of incredible optimism and fun when it seemed Irish bands – almost all of whom could lay claim to at least one timeless classic – ruled the day.
“The Trip to Tipp was the Mecca for Irish bands, a celebration of Irish rock music that had never been seen before.
“This concert has been in the ether for some time now and myself and the bands are really excited to be collaborating with the Irish Chamber Orchestra to put together a glorious, in-your-face celebration of a special time in Irish music.”
Along with the nostalgic line-up, the festival will be getting a modern makeover with the addition of gourmet food stalls including vegan vendors and prosecco and gin bars.
The first ever Trip to Tipp took place in 1990 and was headlined by Meatloaf, Hothouse Flowers, Van Morrison and Christy Moore.
Semple Stadium played host to the festival for the following three years before it moved to Cork’s Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
The venue was changed yet again in 1996, moving indoors to The Point Depot – now known as the 3Arena.
However, the Trip to Tipp returned to its spiritual home in Semple Stadium for the last festival in 1997.
Tickets for this years Feile Classical are priced at €49.50, going on sale on Friday at 9am.