Impero Spring Interim Meeting 2020

Edith Cahill and Leonard Hatrick pictured after the meeting

Photo: Sean Crudden

The Spring Interim Meeting of IMPERO for 2020 took place in the meeting room of Our Lady of The Wayside Church, Lower Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland, on Saturday 22 February 2020 starting at 14:00.  IMPERO is grateful to Fr. Stephen Duffy PP, Lordship and Ballymascanlon, for his permission to use the facility.

Attendance: Leonard Hatrick, President; Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD, Chairperson; Edith Cahill; Sean Crudden, Secretary/Treasurer

No apologies were received.

The Archbishop thanked everyone for taking the trouble to attend and opened proceedings with a short extempore prayer asking Jesus to send the Holy Spirit to guide us so that we have a successful meeting which will do something for mental patients.

The secretary read the minutes of the previous meeting which was held on 12 October 2019, from his mobile phone.

There followed a wide-ranging discussion about the Recovery College.  Sean said patients were expected to adapt, adjust, compromise; while the psychiatrist’s formula remained unrelenting, rigid.  The word recovery which looms large in the modern mental health lexicon is a lie.  It is not possible to contradict HSE policy.  So the courses provided by the College are likely to be like minding sheep.  There is little hope that the required ferment will occur to make this a genuinely educational departure.

The meeting concluded with a cup of tea made by the secretary who provided some KitKat.

Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD, pictured after the meeting

Photo: Sean Crudden

Sean Crudden

Photo: Edith Cahill

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IMPERO Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary

Teresa and Pauline Merrigan

Photo: Sean Crudden

Annual General Meeting 2019

The annual general meeting of IMPERO for 2019 took place in the meeting room of Our Lady of The Wayside Church on Saturday 12 October 2019.  The meeting started at 14:00 and concluded at 15:15.

Seán Crudden said thanks were due to Fr. Stephen Duffy PP, Lordship and Ravensdale, for permission granted to use the meeting room in the church for IMPERO’s AGM.

The chairperson Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD welcomed everyone to the meeting and read The Pope’s Prayer for The Earth to kick off.

A Prayer for our Earth By Pope Francis

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one. O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth. Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light. We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice, love and peace​.

Present at the meeting were: Archbishop M D Hynes, Sean Crudden, Liam Kieran, Geraldine Kieran, Teresa Merrigan, Pauline Merrigan.

Apologies were received from: Leonard Hatrick, Stephen McGorrin, Anne Muldowney, Kevin McGeough, Don Johnston

Sean said the June meeting had been let slide.

The meeting wished Leonard Hatrick well.  He is in hospital undergoing a procedure.

The following officers were elected for 2019/2020

• President: Leonard Hatrick
• Chairperson: Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes
• Vice-Chairperson: Mrs. Anne M. Muldowney
• Secretary/Treasurer: Sean Crudden

Francis McCormack was confirmed as Mentor of IMPERO for another year, at least

Sean read out his thread in the recent on-line consultation on the Global Development Hub powered by UNDP (United Nations Development Program).  The theme of the consultation was Digitalisation and Development.

The following are some of the phrases recorded during the subsequent discussion:  Simplification.  Adjust vision to the current state.  Organise mental patients.  40% mental ill-health.  Entire population.  Mental Health —-> Fear.  Society deals in euphemisms.  People feel threatened by it.  Used as a term of abuse.  Good friend.  Somebody there.  We are all delicate.  Change was brought about by the bomb and the bullet.  Cause alarm.  Elitist government.  Show respect for people of different views.  Environment, power, money.  Nobody visited her.  Medical profession has neglected mental health.  Suicide has a lot to do with mental health.  Life is lonelier.  Constant talk years ago.  Solution is not medicine; it’s society.  Isolation —-> Mental Illness.  Affection.  Get out and talk to strangers.  Affection for children.  Too much fear.

Seán read out a paragraph he published on the Hub a few months ago.  On the topic of technology and the equality of women.  Liam Kieran asserted, “The obsession with beauty has to go.”

Further meetings were fixed for 22 February 2020 and 20 June 2020.  Meetings start at 14:00 on the Saturday afternoons.  Hopefully we will be allowed to use the meeting room in OLOTW

Our Lady of The Wayside Church

Photo: Sean Crudden

Copper/bronze representation of The Burning Bush over the entrance to Jenkinstown Church

Photo: Sean Crudden

October Blooms

Picture: Sean Crudden

Today’s meeting was the first meeting since IMPERO celebrated on 1 April 2019 the 30th anniversary of its foundation on 1 April 1989.

 

 

 

 

Spring Interim Meeting 2019

Stephen McGorrin

Picture: Sean Crudden

The Spring Interim Meeting 2019 of IMPERO took place in the meeting room of Our Lady of The Wayside Church, Lower Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland starting at 14:15 on Saturday 16 February 2019.  Fr. Stephen Duffy PP had kindly given permission to use the room.

Present: Michael Desmond Hynes, chairperson; Leonard Hatrick, president; Margaret Hatrick; Stephen McGorrin; Sean Crudden, secretary.

Apologies: Anne M. Muldowney; John Armstrong

The following phrases are taken from the chairperson’s extempore prayer opening the meeting.  O, Jesus be with us.  Spirit guide us.  Cool head, progressive meeting in the hands of the Holy Spirit

The secretary read the minutes of the Autumn Interim Meeting 2018 from his mobile phone.  The minutes were adopted on the proposal of the chairperson seconded by Stephen McGorrin.

The meeting noted that Michael D. O’Higgins had been elected President of Ireland and wished him luck hoping he will not forget mental patients while he is in office.

The following are some notes of the general discussion.  Psychiatrists are a waste of money.  All they are interested in is red tape, money and power.  Everyone has depression.  Loneliness.  Not machines.  The ones that have money are killing themselves.  A run of bad luck can help a person eventually.  Trust in Jesus Christ.  The will to live.  Crying.

Leonard passed around the KitKat chunks.

Seán said that IMPERO had taken part in the online discussions leading to the development of the 16 Sustainable Goals 2030 of the United Nations.  He drew attention to the current United Nations Development Program.  He gave the meeting the address http://www.undp.org which outlines the full details of the program.  Seán continued saying that IMPERO has access to https://www.globaldevhub.org a community of international development practitioners and professionals hosted and supported by UNDP’s Knowledge Management Team.  The agenda is: insight into policy discussions, new partnerships, international development.  This is all part of a program begun in 2012.  As well as joining the conversation there are opportunities to partner with the UN and host one’s own consultation.  IMPERO wishes to assist/hear from, organisations/individuals in Ireland, who wish to participate in this effort.  Clearly mental patients must not be left behind in any sustainable development program.

Seán gave a copy of his article A Martyr to The Cause to each person in the room.  He read the article dramatically.  In summary John Carthy was shot dead in Abbeylara, Co. Longford, in 2000.  The Barr Tribunal was set up in 2002 and Judge Robert Barr completed his Tribunal Report in 2006.  The honorable judge passed on to his eternal reward in 2016.  Although the meeting had no clear information some echoes of the Abbeylara case arose from violent incidents in Ardee and Dundalk in the recent past.

The Annual Assembly of IMPERO was fixed for 15:00 on Saturday 15 June 2019 in Our Lady of The Wayside.

The meeting concluded at 15:25

Michael Desmond Hynes

Photo: Seán Crudden

 

Autumn Interim Meeting 2018

Sean Crudden

The Autumn Interim meeting of IMPERO took place as planned in the meeting room of Our Lady of The Wayside Church, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland; at 14:00 on Saturday 20 October 2018.  Fr. Stephen Duffy PP, Lordship and Ravensdale, had kindly given permission to use the room for the meeting.

Present: Leonard Hatrick, President; Stephen McGorrin; Francis McCormack, Mentor; Paddy McCormack; Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD, Chairperson; Seán Crudden, Secretary.

Apologies: Edward S. Crudden, Treasurer; Anne Muldowney, Vice-Chairperson; Kevin McGeough, Founder Member

The Archbishop spoke an extempore prayer to open the meeting.  In the prayer he said that nothing appeared to be happening and he implored Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, to do something to gain respect and a full life for mental patients.

The minutes of the Spring Interim meeting were read aloud by the secretary and adopted without demur.

Sean also read for the information of the meeting from his mobile phone a detailed account of the Annual Assembly of IMPERO held on 16 June 2018.

Sean Crudden gave a dramatic reading of his article Break-through! as well as a reading of his journal for 3 October 2010 the day the article was written and published.  It was noted that following Thessaloniki in 2010 and Hillerӧd in 2014 the General Assembly of ENUSP (European Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry) seems to have a 4-year period.  That sequence seems to require a General Assembly this year?

It was pointed out by Francis that the problem has been shifted out of hospitals into the community with the effect of creating social problems which hospitals were designed to fix in the first place.

It appears that there is state gazumping of advocacy groups and the whole possibility of advocacy is stitched up.

Naturally there was some discussion of the presidential election.  The president is meant to be a representative of all the people including mental patients.

There is €170 in IMPERO’s account in Jenkinstown Post Office.  There are no outstanding payments to be made.

The following officers were confirmed for the 2018/2019 season: President; Leonard Hatrick PC; Chairperson, Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD; Vice-chairperson, Anne M. Muldowney; Secretary/Treasurer, Sean Crudden BSc., H Dip. in Ed.  Francis McCormack has agreed to continue as Mentor of IMPERO.

Leonard said he might provide tea at the Spring Interim Meeting in February but in a different venue?

View of Dundalk Bay from the front of Our Lady of The Wayside Church

Photo: Sean Crudden

Leonard Hatrick pictured at the door of Our Lady of The Wayside Church with Trumpet Hill in the background

Photo: Sean Crudden

The copper-work over the front door of Our Lady of The Wayside Church is meant to be a representation of the burning bush from which God spoke to Moses

Photo: Sean Crudden

Annual Assembly 2018

 

Archbishop Hynes and Leonard Hatrick pictured after the general assembly had closed

Photo: Sean Crudden

The Annual Assembly of IMPERO took place in Our Lady of The Wayside Church, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland, on Saturday 16 June 2018, Bloomsday, starting at 14:00 and concluding at 15:30 after what Archbishop Michael D. Hynes OMD PhD declared was “a good meeting.”

Present: Leonard Hatrick, President of IMPERO; Michael D. Hynes, chairperson; Sean Crudden, secretary.

Apologies: Anne M. Muldowney, vice-chairperson; Kevin McGeough, founder member

The minutes of the 2017 annual assembly were read by the secretary.  There were no objections to the minutes which are published on the IMPERO website.

The archbishop and Sean will meet at Jenkinstown PO on Tuesday at 12:00 to withdraw the €200 expenses which Sean is owed from the IMPERO account there.  That will leave a balance of approximately €170.  Basically income and expenditure for the past year were both nil.

Sean said that, following correspondence from Olga Kalina, chairperson of ENUSP, he had written in some detail to John McGahon MCC and also to Paul Ivory, who is the Irish Representative on the Bio-Ethics committee considering it, requesting that the draft additional protocol to the Oviedo Convention be dropped.  Sean received neither acknowledgement nor reply and the draft seems to have progressed to a final stage before adoption by the Council of Europe.  The archbishop said Europe were using bullying tactics.  “Europe don’t give a shite about you!” he asserted.

Sean read his article, Outcaste, written in 2006.  The meeting was unanimous in the view that nothing has changed since then.  The archbishop thinks that things are worse.  The new hospital in Drogheda means more of the same.  Sean referred the meeting to his article, “I Am Innocent!” for further reading.

“Where Will The Madness End?”  There was a short discussion of the question.  It was felt that it would not end.  There will be more people in depression.  The Health Service Executive is good at offering counselling, Leonard said.  He felt, too, that the Church was no good for mental health.  It is not clear that the meeting fully understood the intention of the original question?

Sean drew attention to the meeting of Cooley Environmental and Health Group slated for 19:00 on Wednesday 26 September 2018 in The Strand, Omeath.  The topic is, “Positive Mental Health.”

Interim meetings of IMPERO were fixed for 20 October 2018 and 16 February 2019.  The annual assembly for 2019 was fixed for 15 June 2019.  All meetings will take place, DV, in OLOTW starting at 14:00.

Our Lady of The Wayside Church

Photo: Sean Crudden

Spring Interim Meeting 2018

Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD Phd

The Spring Interim Meeting of IMPERO took place in the meeting room of Our Lady of The Wayside Church, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co. Louth, by kind permission of Lordship and Ravensdale Parish; on Saturday 24 February 2018 starting at 14:00.  The meeting concluded at 14:39.

Present: Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD, chairperson; Seán Crudden, secretary.

Apology: Kevin McGeough, founder member

Seán opened the meeting by reciting the prayer, “Come, O Holy Spirit.”

The minutes of the previous interim meeting on 28 October 2017 were read and adopted.

Commenting on Cooley Environmental and Health Group’s winter workshop entitled, “Mental Health Care in Louth 1918 – 2018,” Seán said, “There was nothing about the people or the treatments.”  The opening half of the workshop had concentrated on the building of Ardee Mental Hospital, 1933.  The Archbishop said that the second half of the workshop was very good.  Seán said that if there was any follow-up to the workshop hopefully IMPERO could participate.

Seán read from his journal the entry for 23 June 2013 and 10 July 2013.  It was on these two days that the article, “We are the boys of Wexford…….” was created.  Seán published the article on indymedia.ie on 10 July 2013.  The Archbishop recorded Sean’s reading using the video camera on his mobile phone.  It is not clear whether the recording was a complete success. 

There is €370.05 on deposit in IMPERO’s a/c in Jenkinstown Post Office but there are outstanding payments of the order of €200 to be made which will deplete that reserve. 

It was decided to hold the Annual Assembly in the meeting room of Our Lady of The Wayside Church.  “People are not interested in big meals at that time of the year,” Seán said.  The meeting will start at 14:00 on Saturday 16 June 2018, Bloomsday

 

Congress; Cash; Workhouse

Photo: Sean Crudden

The Autumn Interim Meeting of IMPERO took place in the meeting room of Our Lady of The Wayside Church, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland, starting at 14:00 on Saturday 28 October 2017.

Present: Edward S. Crudden, treasurer; Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD, chairperson; Sean Crudden, secretary

Apologies: Mrs. Anne M. Muldowney, vice-chairperson; Francis McCormack, mentor; Kevin McGeough, founder member; Leonard Hatrick, president

Sean read out the minutes of the previous interim meeting held on 25 February 2017 from his mobile phone.

Sean said that Lina Ciuksiene, Olga Kalina, Peter Lehmann, all of them members of ENUSP, had been invited to present at the recent Congress of WPA (World Psychiatric Association) held in Berlin.  Mary Maddock of Mind Freedom Ireland had also made a presentation at the congress.  Thanks are due to Maths Jesperson of ENUSP for his reports on the congress published on Facebook.  Sean read some of the correspondence between himself and Olga Kalina, chairperson of ENUSP, which arose when she was consulting members of ENUSP in the preparatory stages for the congress.  There is considerable kudos involved and genuine interest.  But the view was expressed at our meeting that, perhaps, we are flogging a dead horse.

The subject of money was discussed in some detail.  Arrangements were made to withdraw sufficient cash from IMPERO’s account in Jenkinstown Post Office to discharge all our debts.  When that is done there will be very little left.  Teddy and the Archbishop undertook to make enquiries with a view of sourcing sufficient funds to keep the wheels turning.

The subject of suicide was discussed.  IMPERO has no expertise in this area and we have no answers to the problem.  Perhaps somehow help for distressed people could be made available free of the stigma of mental health care? 

The meeting noted that the 18^th annual winter workshop organised by Cooley Environmental and Health Group; which takes place on 27 January 2018 in The Strand, Omeath; will engage with the theme, “Mental Health Care in Louth 1918 – 2018 and Beyond.”  There was a short discussion of where people who died in Ardee Workhouse were buried.  Also, where patients who died in Ardee Mental Hospital were buried.

The meeting wished Leonard Hatrick a speedy recovery from recent surgery. 

Archbishop Hynes leaving the church after the interim meeting had finished

Photo: Seán Crudden

Annual Assembly of IMPERO 2017

Geraldine and Liam Kieran pictured outside where they went to drink their coffee after the assembly had concluded formal business inside The Strand, Omeath, Co. Louth.

Photo: Sean Crudden

The assembly kicked off when 9 people sat down for a meal of chicken curry, rice, chips; cheesecake and banana ice-cream; tea or coffee.  At 14:15 on Saturday 17 June 2017 the day on which some beautiful summer weather began in Ireland.  The meal featured a toast to the United Nations drunk in Kilbeggan, a smooth Irish whiskey produced in Cooley Distillery nearby.  The toast was proposed by Anne Muldowney vice-chairperson of IMPERO.

Attendance: Anne Muldowney, vice-chairperson; Sean Crudden, secretary; Kevin McGeough, founder member; Edward S. Crudden, treasurer; Paul Jennings; Leonard Hatrick, president; Margaret Hatrick; Liam Kieran; Geraldine Kieran; Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD, chairperson.

The minutes of the previous annual assembly were read out by the secretary from his mobile phone.  They were adopted unanimously on the proposal of The Archbishop seconded by Teddy.

The secretary reported on the year’s work.  The minutes of the previous Annual Assembly were rather pessimistic.  But perhaps the darkness is starting to lighten a little now?

The treasurer’s report showed the finanaces to be in a healthy state with basically no change since last year.  IMPERO’s account in Jenkinstown PO shows a balance of slightly over €370.

There was a lot of discussion at the meeting and, earlier, at the dinner table about schools and education.  And it was pointed out that there may be a link between the causes and cures for mental illness.  Adverting to the election of a new Taoiseach, Leo Varadhkar, Margaret said that the new government  should waken up.

The outgoing officers were returned unopposed.  Francis McCormack was reaffirmed in absentia as Mentor.  “He was a big help to me during the year,” Sean said.

The Autumn interim meetng was fixed for 28 October 2017 starting at 14:00 in Our Lady of The Wayside Church, Jenkinstown.  The Spring interim meeting was fixed for Saturday 24 February 2018 at 14:00 in OLOTW.  The annual assembly was fixed for Bloomsday 2018 in The Strand, starting with a meal at 14:00.

Sean thanked OLOTW; Tesco Extra, Dundalk; The Strand: for the use of their facilities during the past year.

The meeting concluded at 16:25

Sean Crudden snapped by the roadside past The Long Woman’s Grave on his way home to Jenkinstown from Omeath after the general assembly had concluded

Photo: Anne Muldowney

Prayer; Bleak; Old; Routine

Sean Crudden and Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD

Photo: Leonard Hatrick

The Spring Interim Meeting of IMPERO for 2017 started at 14:00 on Saturday 25 February 2017 in the meeting room of Our Lady of The Wayside Church, Jenkinstown, Co. Louth, Ireland.

Present: Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes (chairperson); Seán Crudden (secretary); Leonard Hatrick (president); Kevin McGeough (founder member).

An apology was received from Mrs. Anne M. Muldowney.

The chairperson opened the meeting with a prayer to our father in heaven to send his spirit to guide the meeting so that something beneficial gets done for the people involved.

The chairperson read out the minutes of the previous interim meeting held on 29 October 2016.  The minutes were adopted unanimously on the proposal of the archbishop seconded by Kevin.

Leonard gave a detailed report on the ENUSP seminar on empowerment held in Berlin in November including details of his journey to and from Berlin.  The temperature was – 4C when he arrived there.  We all like to feel valued and respected, Leonard concluded.  Seán complimented Leonard on an excellent report.

Sean read aloud his article Convention on The Rights of People with Disabilities which was published on indymedia.ie in 2011.  http://www.indymedia.ie/article/101102  There was no response to the reading except from Leonard who said he likes to hear the stories Sean writes.

It was felt that the future for mental patients, young and old, was bleak.  The archbishop remarked that the government does not want to worry about it.  The problem is shoved into the background.

Planning ahead for IMPERO means continuing at our own pace with our own routine.  We do not plan to expand in any dramatic fashion.

IMPERO has €370.05 on deposit in Jenkinstown PO.

It was decided that the annual assembly should take place starting at 15:00 in The Strand, Omeath, Co. Louth, on Saturday 17 June 2017

Kevin McGeough, Leonard Hatrick, Michael Desmond Hynes

Photo: Seán Crudden

Spirit; forsaking; vestry; commissioner

The Autumn interim meeting of IMPERO took place in the meeting room of Our Lady of The Wayside Church, Jenkinstown, starting at 15:00 on Saturday 29 October 2016.

Present: Leonard Hatrick, president; Margaret Hatrick; Kevin McGeough; Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD, chairperson; Sean Crudden, secretary.

An apology was received from Anne Muldowney.

Those present recited a prayer from a small script, for the recovery of Fr. Pádraig Murphy, parish priest of Lordship and Ballymascanlon, who has suffered a serious illness and for healing for all.  Fr. Murphy is the pastor of Our Lady of The Wayside Church.

The Archbishop recited a short extempore prayer for the success of the meeting through the guidance of the spirit in the hope that something interesting gets done.

The chairperson read the minutes of the General Assembly held in June.

The secretary read the minutes of the Spring interim meeting held in February, the last ordinary meeting.  These minutes were unanimously adopted on the proposal of the president seconded by the chairperson.

The recently opened new facility in The Lourdes was discussed at some length.  No one fully understood the strategy of the HSE in forsaking Ardee Mental Hospital which is still a serviceable building on a lovely site.  Some misgivings were expressed about the possible absence of a community aspect within the new facility.  Others thought patients might appreciate the privacy afforded by en-suite single rooms. 

Leonard will attend on behalf of IMPERO the ENUSP seminar in Berlin on 13, 14, 15 November 2016.  The Archbishop led the meeting in an extempore prayer for Leonard that he will have the strength to accomplish the journey and that he will make friends and enjoy himself.

Leonard is to investigate with his vestry the possibility of holding the Spring interim meeting in February in St. Mary’s Church of Ireland, Ardee.

The meeting complimented Leonard who has recently been appointed commissioner for oaths in The High Court.