The work done by a an investigative journalist into child looks set
to be commemorated following the setting up of a bursary in her honour. A special fund to promote investigative journalism and commemorate the work of the late journalist Mary Raftery was launched in Dublin last week.
Ms Raftery died in January aged 54. She was best known for her, States of Fear, documentary series, which revealed the extent of physical and sexual abuse suffered by children in Irish industrial schools and residential institutions.
Her work led to the creation of the Commission of Inquiry into Child Abuse.
In 2002, her, Cardinal Secrets programme for RTÉ's Prime Time led to the setting up of the Murphy Commission of Investigation into clerical abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese.
She also produced programmes on Our Lady Of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda for the Prime Times Investigates programme in 2004 under the title, Bad Medicine, which later went on to win an award.
Now, the philanthropic organisation The One Foundation, has set up the Mary Raftery Journalism Fund.
Speaking at the launch, Ombudsman for Children Emily Logan said investigative journalism is an expensive commodity but vital, “for the holding of the State and of its institutions to account.”
She added, “Nothing represents the truth of that more than the journalism of Mary Raftery. The fund will be a trailblazer, a signifier of excellence and a raiser of standards, but more than anything it would also be a fitting and profound tribute to the memory of Raftery.”
The new fund will provide individual applicants with up to €18,000 to carry out investigative work in the area of mental health, migrant issues and children's rights.
Up to €40,000 will be available for allocation in each of three rounds of funding.
The first round, on the theme of mental health, will close on November 6.
Applications for the fund will be assesses by a panel, which will be chaired by RTÉ journalist Olivia O'Leary.