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Terri Ryan (2nd left) at the launch of her book, The Bullies’ Predatory Footprint in Galway with Louise O’Keeffe, Mary Hoade (Cathaoirleach of Co Galway) and John Lonergan. Photo: Meaghan McKeon Joyce

The Bullies’ Predatory Footprint, A book dealing with the problems of bullying by Mitchelstown native Terri Ryan, had its launch in The Meyric Hotel, Galway on Monday, November 10.

The book, which has already garnered 5 US book awards, was launched by John Lonergan, the ex governor of Mountjoy and the guest speaker was Louise O'Keeffe. The event was also attended by an Cathaoirleach Cllr Mary Hoade, Mayor of County Galway.

Louise O'Keeffe spoke on being bullied by the State and her having to take them to task about what was allowed happen to her.

"I had to take a civil case to highlight the fact that what happened 40 years ago could still happen in our schools to-day, and the State could still take the same attitude. They would bully you into dropping the case instead of opening out their hand and opening up their arms and saying what can we do to rectify this. What can we do to stop it? Instead they fought and they fought for fifteen and a half years, which to me was outrageous. And along the way during those fifteen and a half years, they intimidated and as far as I am concerned, bullied all victims who had taken cases into dropping the case."

She said that if children and adults see the State bullying the citizens of this country, they (the general public) take their lead.

Ms O'Keeffe was loud in her praise for the book and said we need more people like Terri Ryan to highlight the vulnerabilities and the systems that are there to treat them.

"We need more people like Terri to step forward and stand-up for victims of bullying," she said.

BLIND LOYALTY

John Lonergan quoted what he termed 'the blind loyalty of State workers'. "I was at a Conference a few weeks ago on childcare workers and one childcare worker stood up and said we are 'conspiring with one another and the State to neglect our children, because we’re silent'. We are pretending everything is in order. We are pretending everything is being done properly, when we know in our hearts that there are serious inadequacies."

Speaking on how Ireland deals with the issue of bullying

he sai he could not think of any organisation that had come out with flying colours in relation to the whole issue of bullying.

"Certainly, many Trade Unions have been proactive, but many have stood idly by as well, including employers, organisations and the State."

Praising the Book which he described as 'a fantastic read', he said it was by far the most comprehensive overview of bullying he has ever read, 'not just in an Irish but in an International context'.

"I couldn’t recommend a better read for anybody that would want to learn more about, and get a full understanding of, bullying in its many different forms. I am absolutely certain that if you read this book, you will have a deep understanding and an insight into bullying."

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