Mary Raftery

Journalist

Irish Times project on landlord Marc Godart wins Mary Raftery Prize

Prize awarded annually to an individual or small team responsible for social affairs journalism

Thu Mar 27 2025 - 20:59

Mary Raftery journalism prize winner to be announced on Thursday

Two Irish Times projects among five shortlisted for prize named in honour of the late journalist and which recognises contributions to social affairs journalism

Mon Mar 24 2025 - 21:35

Fintan O’Toole on his career: ‘You had to learn to live with the fact that some people despised you’

The Irish Times columnist has made a new documentary about his life for RTÉ. Here he looks back on a career that he began as the Michelangelo of Tipp-Ex

Sat Dec 07 2024 - 05:15

The beginning of the fall of the Catholic Church in Ireland

Bishop Eamonn Casey’s life and career came apart 30 years ago today

Fri May 06 2022 - 19:41

In a Word . . . Media

Irish media for a long time did a medium job – at best – of holding power to account

Sat Jun 26 2021 - 00:30

Cruelty and abuse of power were not the preserve of religious orders

State-run psychiatric hospitals were the single greatest contributor to coercive confinement in mid-20th century Ireland

Tue Feb 09 2021 - 01:00

The God Squad author and ‘fearless campaigner’ Paddy Doyle dies at 69

Disability activist wrote about cruelty and abuse he suffered in Waterford industrial school

Mon Oct 12 2020 - 09:17

Death of pioneer in advocacy for survivors of residential child abuse

Soca began in Coventry and Birmingham before being set up in London, then Dublin

Thu Aug 06 2020 - 19:18

Fintan O’Toole: Young Micheál Martin had courage to face dark truths

In 1999 the then minister for education made brave choices. Does he still have it in him?

Tue Jul 07 2020 - 01:00

What is it in the Irish character that compels us to secrecy?

RTÉ’s Redress: Breaking the Silence was a brave and often unwatchable documentary

Wed Mar 04 2020 - 12:01

Roscommon-Galway results: No FF or FG candidate elected

Sinn Féin’s Claire Kerrane (27) becomes first woman elected in constituency since 1981

Mon Feb 10 2020 - 17:10

Keelin Shanley obituary: An ‘accidental journalist’ known for her curiosity, empathy and versatility

From a family of medics and scientists, she studied biochemistry before switching to media

Sat Feb 08 2020 - 18:43

Publication of Murphy report 10 years ago gave ‘confidence’ to abuse survivors

Landmark inquiry ‘changed attitude to clerical abuse’

Tue Nov 26 2019 - 02:00

‘Awe at dignity and humanity’: Abuse survivors commemorate State apology

Events held in Dublin to mark 20 years since apology to survivors of residential institutions

Sat May 11 2019 - 17:58

Bertie Ahern: State’s 1999 apology to abused children was ‘absolutely necessary’

‘These people, their lives had been ruined’: Former taoiseach recalls his role in State response

Sat May 11 2019 - 06:00

Exhibition opens on journalist who investigated Ireland’s ‘dark’ corners

Mary Raftery was ‘absolutely determined’ to share the stories of institutional abuse

Thu Apr 25 2019 - 21:08

‘I was not a human being’: A history of Irish childhood

No Child 2020: Dark stains remain on the Irish conscience over the treatment of children

Sat Jan 19 2019 - 06:03

Commission of Investigations Act inhibits truth-telling about past and present

Survivors and family members must be afforded a statutory right to information

Tue Oct 30 2018 - 15:32

Papal visit to Ireland: protest over clerical child sexual abuse

Former resident at Nazareth House calls on pope to do something for the survivors

Sat Aug 25 2018 - 12:46

Vatican fears over redress costs drove Cardinal Sodano indemnity proposal

It had been estimated in 2004 abuse crisis compensation would cost Irish dioceses €50m

Wed Aug 08 2018 - 03:00

We need more than a plaque to mark Ireland’s history of cruelty

Institutional history: We need to reflect, not just remember

Sat Apr 14 2018 - 06:30

'Marriage was a licence for sex': Ireland and women in 100 quotes

The Women’s Podcast celebrates its 100th episode with 100 quotes by and about women in Ireland

Thu Mar 30 2017 - 10:10

A history of Ireland in 100 great quotes

From ‘Dress suitably, and buy a revolver’ and 'A terrible beauty' to 'We all partied'

Sat Mar 11 2017 - 05:08

Kathy Sheridan: Tuam baby burials suggest an insidious agenda

Scandal disproves defence that the Catholic Church did wrong but was trying to do good

Wed Mar 08 2017 - 05:00

The life-long prisoners of State-funded, church-run institutions

Many women were born in State homes then sent to industrial schools and laundries

Wed Mar 08 2017 - 01:00

Diarmaid Ferriter: Catholic Church remains out of touch

There are still powerful bureaucrats in the Vatican who think they know best

Sat Mar 04 2017 - 05:00

Is it time for an apology to the Traveller community?

The least that can be expected is an official apology from the State for the awful crimes that have been committed against them

Fri Mar 03 2017 - 05:55

Cardinal Desmond Connell’s removal takes place in Dublin

History is made as two archbishops receive cleric’s remains

Thu Feb 23 2017 - 21:54

Mary Raftery investigative journalism bursary established

Successfull applicant will have three-month traineeship at ‘The Irish Times’

Fri Apr 08 2016 - 21:45

Irish Women in the World: Joan Freeman and four other active advocates

Showing solidarity with and speaking up for people who are suffering

Tue Mar 08 2016 - 05:45

Challenging Pope Francis on clerical child abuse

When abuse victim Marie Collins claims the Roman Curia is frustrating efforts to implement decisions which will make the church a safer place for children, we must take notice

Mon Feb 15 2016 - 22:00