"The Girl in the Tunnel"

[Rob Northall]

In 1964, at the age of 12, Maureen Sullivan was illegally incarcerated in the Magdalene Laundry in the Good Shepherd Convent in New Ross.

In her four plus years in the system, she was treated as child slave labour, and was trafficked from one institution to another. For many years afterwards, Maureen’s life was blighted by the consequences of the brutal treatment and cruelty she received at the hands of the nuns in charge of those institutions. But when she reached her 40’s, something incredible happened.

Inspired by the example of people like Christina Noble, Maureen decided that it was time for her to tell her story and to seek justice for what had happened to her and all the other unfortunate women in the Magdalene Laundries. Maureen was prepared to give up everything - her job, her privacy, her home, her savings, her reputation and her comfortable lifestyle - in her quest for justice.

Maureen’s book “The Girl in the Tunnel” tells the story of that long journey to justice. Although the book vividly portrays her horrific times in the Magdalene Laundries, this is not just another misery memoir. Using a wonderful turn of phrase, true to life dialogue, great humour and a cast of captivating characters, Maureen describes how she moved from a background of poverty, abuse, slave labour, sleeping rough, broken marriages and depression to redemption, justice, contentment, acceptance and helping other victims to heal.

Maureen’s tale is one of David versus Goliath, of a few courageous individuals taking on the might of the Irish Church and State, in the search for truth. It is the story that the Irish Church and State don’t want you to hear. Maureen played a leading role in the campaign to secure justice for the Magdalene women. She became the voice and public face of the campaign and helped to bring the plight of the women into the public eye. She has spoken eloquently and movingly about both her time in the Magdalene Laundries and her long battle for justice, including an appearance on The Late, Late Show in February 2013 to discuss the fall-out from the McAleese Report.

"The Girl in the Tunnel" published by Maverick House.

Available here

https://www.maverickhouse.com/books/the-girl-in-the-tunnel/

[Christopher Neary]

For not eating parsnips which I did not like. Sister Caramel Force it down my mouth I was beaten up and giving a black I was crying a lot then locked underneath the cupboard in the classroom as told by Caramel if I didn't stop crying the police were gonna take me away I was only 5 years old then. How come a woman become so hard and do things like that

[jack colleton]

Shared On Twitter.

[tommy Rhattigan]

Being a survivor of the Industrial schools I can certainly relate to stories such as this. And it still saddens me to think, the pathetic and cowardly Catholic Church, along with the Parasite of a Pope, will not stand up and be counted for their sins against the most vulnerable children once under their so-called Care and Protection! Good Luck with the book Maureen! :) x

[jack colleton]

Denial Is Their 'Refuge'.

[Barbie]

They are cowards!! Survivors can stand up and tell about what happened to them but these people religious and lay people that knew what was going on made society believe even in the 21st century that we probably deserved it. They the religious, one government after another and the so called good citizens do not care about vulnerable adult survivors of industrial abuses. To this day the church has not handed over the full amount owed to the survivors in the region of 460 million euros and here they are trowing a pittance to shut us up to make us feel get go something all the while saying to survivors look over there while we rob you blind. I am so sickened by these people and I blame them all for the continued hurt of survivors.

[jack colleton]

Awesome Post Barbie. The Word  "Patriot"  Needs To Be Understood In The Context Of Those Who Expose What Is Wrong, Being On The Side Of The People,  Who Appear To Be Sleeping Or Suffering The Effects  Of The Cosh  ... 

[Christopher Neary]

 Caranua most unapproachable, They do not care about the survivors of abuse. They need to know what kind of abuse they have to go through hit with a stick for getting spelling wrongh smack across the ears or not towing the white line 3 smacks across the backside for wetting the bed take your mattress across the yard to the boiler room there was some undesirable kids at the school for misbehaving at Home in the town or Village they live. They definitely would not get away with it from me today I probably would have ended up in prison Mary Higgins has got no compassion for the Irish survivors she is the wrong person in the job should should have compassion she's she got no guts to pick the phone up and speak to you direct always hides behind others