The family of an Irish woman who wrote a best-selling book claiming she was physically and sexually abused in a Catholic institution publicly denied the allegations today.
Kathy O'Beirne's book documenting the alleged abuse, published as Don't Ever Tellin the UK and Kathy's Storyin Ireland - has soared up the best-seller list after selling more than 350,000 copies.
The story, published by Mainstream Publishing, claims she was tortured and raped in a Magdalene laundry and also alleges she was beaten and abused at the hands of her father.
Despite Ms O'Beirne reiterating her story was true, seven of her brothers and sisters, all originally from Dublin's Clondalkin, joined together claiming they were speaking out to tell the true story of the family.
They denied Ms O'Beirne's claims, saying their father was not an abuser and worked extremely hard to feed, clothe and take care of them.
"The anger and frustration we feel at seeing our father branded worldwide as a horrific abuser is indescribable," said Mary O'Beirne, speaking of her dead father Oliver at the gathering in Dublin.
"The allegations are untrue against my father, he did an awful lot for Kathleen."
Mary (40) said the stories in the book simply have to be stopped. She added: "If people tell lies for long enough, people will believe it. We all want to get on with our lives and remember our mother and father. They were good to us. I don't want to live the rest of my life like this. I couldn't do it."
After the press conference, author Kathy O'Beirne said: "I thought it was totally hilarious, I almost laughed at the fact they said they loved me and wanted to stand by me. Why have they given me a life of hell over the last five years or more."
She added: "Of course they were lying."
Ms O'Beirne claimed the family's comments followed a bitter dispute over a will and ownership of the family home in Clondalkin.
Michael Sheridan, who wrote the book with Kathy, said: "The real story of Kathy O'Beirne's family life is 10 times worse and more horrendous than was portrayed in the book for legal reasons."
Mr Sheridan, who has penned five crime books, said: "I spoke to two members of Kathy's family and friends of Kathy who know what was going on when she was growing up."
He added: "I didn't speak to those who came out today as there was a bitter dispute going on over the family home."
Mr Sheridan said in May 2005 the publishers wrote to the Archdiocese of Dublin giving Kathy's account of her time in institutions. He said: "The Archdiocese of Dublin did not have any objection to her account of time in institutions."
The writer said: "We say we have evidence."
A statement from Mainstream said the publishers took steps before releasing the story and were satisfied the memoir was appropriate for publication.
"This included working closely with Kathy O'Beirne and providing the opportunity for comment or correction to the Archdiocese of Dublin by submitting relevant material to it. After correspondence of some six weeks, no material changes to the text were requested," Mainstream stated.
The family claimed Kathy was living at home with them when she says she was in a Magdalene home.
"Our sister was not in a Magdalene laundry, or Magdalene home, she was in St Anne's Children's Home, Kilmacud, St Loman's Psychiatric Hospital, Mountjoy Prison and Sherrard House for homeless people. Our parents placed her in St Anne's for a brief period when she was 11 because of ongoing behavioural difficulties," Mary said.
"Our sister did not have a child at the age of 14 that she alleges died at the age of 10."
Eamon O'Beirne, 48, said the family wanted the book pulled from the shelves. In a statement signed by seven of her brothers and sisters - Oliver, Eamon, Mary, Margaret, John, Tommy and Brian O'Beirne - the family said there was no evidence to support Kathy's claims.
In a statement, the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity said in April last year their legal team wrote to Mr Sheridan over articles he had written linking Ms O'Beirne to their laundries and Magdalene Homes.
A statement from the Order said: "A copy of this letter was also sent to Mainstream Publishers because we had seen some advance publicity for Kathy's book.
"In the letter it was categorically stated the only time Kathy O'Beirne spent with us was for a six-week period in a reformatory school for young people.