Campaigning journalist Mary Raftery to be honoured at Labour Conference
Issued : Friday 16 April, 2010
Campaigning journalist, Mary Raftery, is to be the recipient of the 'Larkin Thirst for Justice Award' at the Labour Party National Conference which will be held in Galway this weekend.
The Larkin Award, named after the trade union leader and founder member of the Labour Party, James Larkin, is awarded to a person who, in their personal and/or professional life has made an outstanding contribution in the area of human rights and justice.
Mary Raftery is to be honoured for her role in helping to expose clerical child abuse. An award-winner television producer/director, her acclaimed documentary series 'States of Fear' resulted in the historic 1999 apology by the Taoiseach on behalf of the Irish state to victims of child abuse. It also led to the establishment of the Ryan Commission of Inquiry into Child Abuse.
In 2002, Mary produced and directed the award-winning 'Cardinal Secrets', which led to the establishment of the Murphy Commission of Investigation into child sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Dublin.
The award will be presented to Mary by the President of the Labour Party, Michael D. Higgins TD prior to the Party Leader's address to conference on Saturday evening.
