Product Description

'I feel my story had to be told. So much evil was done there was a voice inside me shouting, "Justice".' With no one to confide in, Kathy suffered in silence as she was battered by her father and molested by local boys. At the age of eight, she was torn from her family and incarcerated in a series of Catholic homes. When she was sent to a psychiatric unit, she suffered terrifying electric- shock therapy and further cruelty at the hands of her supposed carers. After ending up in a Magdalen laundry, she fell victim to sexual abuse and gave birth to baby Annie just weeks before her fourteenth birthday. "Don't Ever Tell" is Kathy's harrowing account of her ruined childhood and of her subsequent fight for justice.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #113852 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-18
• Original language: English
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 224 pages

About the Author
Kathy O'Beirne has led the campaign for justice for Magdalen girls in Ireland for the past 11 years.

Customer Reviews

Such a tragical story, must be read
I had heard about the Magdalen laundries but never realised the extent of what went on there. Having read Don't Ever Tell I was disgusted at what went on there, this book was a true eye-opener and is a must read. I cried at parts especially for never giving up on her friend Liz (may she rest in peace). This is an amazing story of Kathy O' Beirne who suffered the most evil beatings, abuse and torture that no child should ever have to encounter. But she still comes out the other end fighting. You are a true hero Kathy, never give up the fight. One way or another'justice' will be served.

A harrowing tale that needed to be told
This type of memoir is always difficult to read, but in this case we are reading of the childhood horror of not one, but thousands of young girls. A childhood of hell, being shuffled from an overly disciplined home and chidhood abuse to a reformatory school and thence to a psychiatric hospital and finally a Magdalen laundry. Each stop worse than the one before, with the people who should be caring and loving, no more than a sham for more abuse and slavery.
In my mind the few nuns who seemed to care, are just as much to blame for not speaking out. How could they reconcile all this with what they read in their Bibles? How could they just sit back and watch?
Kathy is speaking out for all these unnamed victims, many of whom are living out their days still in psychiatric hospitals. The Magdalen laundries may have closed some ten years ago but their legacy lives on.
All strength to you Kathy and may God be with you in your work.

Such an eye opener!!
I have never written a book review before but felt compelled to do so after reading this book. I read it cover to cover in one night. The author isn't the best writer I have ever come across but her story tore at my heart. I have to admit I was ignorant to these places called the Magdeline Laundries.
My grandfather was brought up in children's homes run by the nuns and although he never went into great detail he always maintained the nuns and priests in such a place were cruel heartless people. After reading this book my eyes are opened to the horrendous things that happened in these so called `houses of God' and now I wish I could something to help those tortured victims. A fantastic book to read and gain an insight to the misery that these poor people suffered....my eyes are open to how lucky I am and my heart is heavy for all those who had to endure such a place