False 2000 Organ Retention Scandal Recently one mother said “ I have visited my baby’s grave for the last two years and got great solace from that and often over those two years I have passed the hospital where he was born. Looking at the exact window to the room we shared, not realising that some of my son was still in that hospital, I feel so shattered”. Late last year, many of you will recall the news that organs/ tissue were removed from babies and children at Our Lady’s Hospital in Crumlin. I think most of us were shocked and horrifi ed to think this could have happened. Just before Christmas ISANDS received our fi rst call from a bereaved parent concerned that this could have happened to his baby who had died in Crumlin, sadly this was the case and we then realised that this could also be the situation that many other parents and families would have to face in the future. Parents who were coping with their loss and others who had had some normality return to their lives are now dealing with huge hurt, anger and a sense of betrayal. Parents saying they feel they let their baby down by allowing this to happen; of course none of us knowing the full extent of what happened at the time. Matthew M is for Matthew, a special brother of mine A is for amazing brother T is for baby teddy bear, T is for true love, H is for happiness, E is for everything nice, W is with something special. Written by Matthew’s sister Inquiry into Organ Retention In January of this year we started work on compiling a submission to be included in the Inquiry headed by Ms. Anne Dunne. Our submission took a full six months work to complete and is a painstaking account of parents and ISANDS experiences with hospitals since the awful scandal began. It is a fully comprehensive document of almost three hundred pages. We would like to thank the parents who found the huge courage to recall such painful details and contribute to this document. Well done to all of you and also to the parents who have sent a submission independently to the Inquiry. We hope that there will be something good will come from the fi ndings and that this may help to bring some closure to the sadness for parents and families. Only time will tell if it can. We offer our continued support to parents who are still coping with the trauma of this situation now and in the future and will endeavour to keep you informed of any information forthcoming from the Inquiry. isands newsletter 72

False To Our Dear Darling James We think of you so often, dearest James But especially today. Today 1st September 2000, you should have been born into our little family. Another baby son and brother for Jack. Jack is only 26 months old, so he doesn’t understand yet. But he’s so full of life and full of chat. We’ll tell him all about his baby brother when he’s older. It doesn’t seem fair at all that you were only with us for fi ve months, inside your Mama’s tummy. You never made it out to run around with Jack but you’ll be always be in our hearts. It will be very hard to see others born this September, but we will always remember the day you were born and died, 19th April 2000. Knowing that you are with the Angels in Heaven and with Mama’s Daddy helps us greatly. Forever and Always. Mama, Papa and Jack O’Sullivan The Isn’t Much That I Can Do There isn’t much that ~ I can do But I can share my fl owers with you And I can share my books with you, And sometimes share your burdens too. As on our way we go. There isn’t much that I can do, But I can share my hopes with you And I can share my fears with you And sometimes shed some tears with you As on our way we go. Maud B. Preston In memory of Paula Brigid Lynch isands newsletter 73