'He Called Me A Tramp And Looked Up My Skirt’: 90-Year-Old Mother And Baby Home Survivor Speaks Out On Abuse And Delayed Redress

Friday, 16 August 2024 14:11

By Martin Osborne

Helen Culpan, originally from Castledermot, said it is humiliating that she is still waiting for redress.

'The priest called me a tramp, looked up my skirt to check if I had knickers on, then banished me'

Those are the words of a 90-year-old woman, who as a pregnant teenager had a priest look up her skirt to check if she was wearing underwear before sending her to a mother and baby home.

Helen Culpan, originally from Castledermot, said it is humiliating that she is still waiting for redress.

According to the Irish Examiner, Helen fears she may pass away before it is paid.

That's despite the Department of Children and Integration saying Priority for redress is to be given to elderly applicants.

Helen is entitled to redress for the time she two years that she spent in St Patrick's Mother and Baby Home on the Navan Road, and also for her unpaid labour in Donnybrook Magdalene Laundry.

She is entitled to between €25,000 and €30,000.

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