THE CELTIC CONNECTION • OCTOBER 1993
Page 13
C WE ASKED YOU! ) Irish Student Shot in San Francisco
The recent revelations about the treatement of the "Magdalen" women in Ireland were brought to light with the exhumation of a mass grave, on property owned by the Sisters of Charity in Drumcondra. These "fallen women" were sent to work, unpaid, in a network of what were known as the "Magdalen laundries."
We asked a cross-section of people from the Irish community in Vancouver how they responded to the news about the national outcry in Ireland regarding the treatment of the "Magdalen" women.
It's a typically Irish situation and too much has already been written about it. Forget the past and concentrate on today's problems. — Joe Martin
I would like to know how this was allowed to happen and who was responsible. Maybe the Sisters had no choice.
— Betty O'Duffy-Brennan
SAN FRANCISCO — Tracy Keane, a 21-year-old biochemistry student of Trinity College, Dublin, was shot twice in the back at close range by a heavy calibre handgun while walking in the Bay Area in late August. She was with two friends when attacked by three youths in the Fisherman's Warf area.
Keane tried to escape the youths but was chased and shot by a 16-year-old on weekend release from a detention centre. He, along with two adults, were arrested shortly after the attack.
ittrt lis* < •) wn ».;>;.•* 'P People should realize that the Church has its own problems and not hold it on a sacred pedestal. Open your eyes and make a stand for what is right — even if it seems an uphill battle. That is more of a religion than the one in question. — Brendan McKenna
Although seriously injured, Keane is expected to make a full recovery. Her parents flew in from Ireland to be at her bedside. According to Tom Buckley of the San Francisco Police De-
partment, her mother had begged her daughter not to travel to the U.S. because she feared it was too dangerous.
Within hours of the attack, Peter O'Neill, organizer of the Celtic Music Festival, had offered to stage a benefit to help with medical costs. A trust fund has been established to help with expenses. To donate, contact the Tracy Keane Trust Account, c/o First Interstate Bank, P.O. Box 1008, South San Francisco, CA 94083-9952. -Celeste Sinclair
I believe the Church has a lot to answer for. One would think that this sort of behaviour would not be tolerated in a modern country. The unfortunate women who were subjected to this slavery should be commemorated. A fitting tribute would be to erect a memorial on the graves, rather than selling the land.
— Jack McGuinness
It reminds me how lucky I am to be in a country and time where women mean something. We must always stand together with or without the support of men or the government. We are strong and will continue to survive.
— Mona Barry
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I was shocked when I read it.
— Peggy McKenna
All of Ireland have to hang their heads in shame after burying them in the sand and ignoring what went on at the Magdalen homes. Thousands of young women were imprisoned for the crime of being non-conformist. There are a few more murky chapters yet to be written regarding the treatment of Irish women.
— Kevin McFadden
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