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

 

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

Annual General Assembly 2016

The annual general assembly opened at 14:00 on Saturday 11 June 2016 in the community facility of Tesco Extra, Dundalk, with an extempore prayer from The Archbishop asking the spirit for guidance.

Present were: Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD; Sean Crudden; Francis McCormack, Edward S. Crudden.

Apologies were received from: Anne Muldowney; Leonard Hatrick, Kevin McGeough; Paul Smyth.

The minutes of the previous general assembly were read and adopted on the proposal of The Archbishop seconded by Teddy.

Discussion of Planning for The Future the expert report dated December 1984 included some of the following remarks.

Perfect plan for the doctors.

Patients are fighting dejection, struggling for motivation, drowned by stigma.

The Mental Health Commission not representing the interests of patients.

The MHC protects the system like TTIP protects business.

The MHC’s view is the one reflected all the time.

Giving the impression that they were even handed

Secret organisation

Psychiatric patients cannot even make a complaint to An Garda or Amnesty

Medication.  Stigma.  Incapacitated. Degenerate

Families have to cope with the fall-out of medication.

The whole of society is a mental hospital.

Medication is convenient not beneficial

Mental patients are less valued.

Reviews like A Vision for Change (2006) are only kicking the problem down the road.

Victims Charter and Disability Rights Law not ratified.

Representation is stitched up.

The following officers were elected unanimously for the coming year.

President: Leonard Hatrick PC

Chairperson: Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD

Vice-chairperson: Mrs. Anne M. Muldowney

Secretary: Sean Crudden

Treasurer: Edward Crudden

Francis McCormack will undertake the role of Mentor for at least the coming year.

The Autumn Interim meeting was fixed for Saturday 29 October 2016 at 14:00 in Tesco Extra

The Spring Interim Meeting was fixed for Saturday 25 February at 14:00

Next year’s Annual General Assembly was fixed for Saturday 17 June 2017 starting at 14:00

Disinvitation: Dominate: Smoking Ban: Fear

The Spring interim meeting of IMPERO took place in Brian Muldoon’s Bar, Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland; on Saturday 20 February 2016 starting at 15:00.

Present were: Anne Muldowney, vice-chairperson; Seán Crudden, secretary; Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD, chairperson; Leonard Hatrick PC, president; Francis McCormack; Domini Turley.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read aloud by Leonard Hatrick.  The minutes were adopted unanimously on the proposal of Leonard seconded by the Archbishop.

The article The Danish Girl http://www.indymedia.ie/article/105651 written by Seán was read aloud by Anne Muldowney.  Anne received compliments on the way she read the article.  There was some discussion on the meaning of the word “ersatz.”

Seán read aloud a series of e-mails, one from Olga Kalina chirperson of ENUSP, dealing with BPE’s proposal to disinvite the WPA congress in Berlin slated for 2017.  IMPERO seems happy to back the proposal of the German organisation BPE.  However there is no intention of dictating to ENUSP what its attitude should be.

There was some discussion about the power of psychiatry.  It was felt that it dominates the legal profession and human rights organisations.  Fear is used to control people the way it used to be used in the Catholic Church and in the police.  Anne Muldowney asserted, “the one thing patients should not have is fear.”

IMPERO has closed its account in Ulster Bank and opened instead a post office account in Jenkinstown PO.  To withdraw cash from the account two signatures are required.  Sean Crudden.  +M.D. Hynes.  There is €310 in the account.

Seán Crudden read aloud his journal for 13, 14, 15 December 2015 the days he attended the ENUSP empowerment seminar organised by MHE in Brussels.  “Interesting,” Leonard Hatrick commented.

The date 11 June 2016 was chosen for this year’s General Assembly of IMPERO.  Leonard will try to arrange a venue in Ardee subject to obtaining the correct indemnity insurance.

Leonard raised the practical problem of patients in Ardee Mental Hospital being forced by the smoking ban to go out to the gates of the hospital on the Kells road to smoke.