Also in attendance was Danny Murphy, Coiste Youth Development work, Joe Doherty, Coiste Ex Consortium and Paddy O Dowd, Coiste Family Support development worker.
The first seminar that evening was facilitated by Joe Doherty. This presentation was based around the history of imprisonment, from Internment to the H Block protests. Joe Doherty also touched on the educational and self-development strategies within the prison and the discussion documents around political developments, including the peace strategy and understanding of diversity. Danny Murphy, Coiste Youth Development worker, introduced the Left In Limbo document and went through the many interviews with political ex prisoners’ family members, including the stresses and strains on family relationships. Again there followed a question and answer session, before the young people were given the rest of the evening to get to know young people from different backgrounds from all across the north.
Danny Murphy, Coiste Youth Development worker, introduced the Left In Limbo document and went through the many interviews with political ex prisoners’ family members, including the stresses and strains on family relationships. Again there followed a question and answer session.
The following morning was taken up with two presentations by Patricia Lewsley, Children’s Commissioner and Michael Culbert, Director Coiste na n-Iarchimi.
Patricia Lewsley gave a detailed breakdown of government policy and strategies, taking into account those young people affected by the conflict, including children of political and political prisoners. Ms Lewsley did recognize the traumatic experiences of children of political prisoners and political ex prisoners and acknowledged the findings of the Left In Limbo document.
After a question and answer session with Ms Lewsley Michael Culbert followed up with a presentation as the Director of a republican ex prisoners’ organization and as a counsellor. In presenting the Coiste strategies on family support and counselling Michael Culbert added to the concerns of those children who have suffered the trauma of losing a parent through imprisonment. Michael went further to highlight the long-term psychological nature of parent/child relationships and the need for further research and investment into family support programmes.
Danny Murphy introduced to the Children’s Commissioner the recent launch of the Prisons to Peace educational package for schools. It was viewed that the Children’s Commissioner should fall in behind the programme. The session ended up with a workshops on the two day seminar programme, followed by a role-play workshops and presentations, followed by a bus trip to see rural Fermanagh including to the shores of Lough Erne from where several counties can be seen.
All the young republicans who attended stated that they had found this an immensely interesting and affecting weekend, where they learned a great deal about themselves and of the struggles both prisoners and their familes have endured and are indeed still enduring.
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