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A compelling memoir that delves into the depths of one man's resilience and the harsh realities of his haunting past. From his early days in an orphanage to his tumultuous journey through foster care, institutionalization, and forced labour, Maurice Heffernan's life has been shaped by tragedy and hardship. His poignant storytelling lays bare the struggles he endured as an invisible child, locked away in St Joseph's Residential Institution, just miles from his own home. Through his raw and honest account, Heffernan sheds light on the failures of the government and the reactions of Tralee's residents when the Ryan Report was made public in 2009. This book also offers valuable insights into the workings of the Residential Institutions Redress Board and the Survivor Led Consultative Process, giving readers a glimpse into the progress being made. Follow Heffernan's journey of self-discovery as he uncovers his long-lost family members, rises through the ranks of An Garda Siochana, experiences the joys and heartbreaks of marriage and family, and ultimately finds solace in a new life in Malta. Once There Was A Boy Who Survived is a gripping read for those who want to know about the struggles and triumphs of survivors, and for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of life within the Residential Institutions. Prepare to be moved by this powerful and unforgettable story.

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9781915502667

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Maurice Heffernan was born in September 1945. Sadly, his mother died when he was 6 months old and when he was approximately 9 months old, he was taken to an orphanage in Killarney, Co. Kerry, and eventually fostered by a family in West Kerry. During those years, he didn't even know he had another family.At age 7, he was taken from his foster parents by an NSPCC inspector and brought to the District Court in Tralee, where he was committed to St Josephs Residential Institution, spending the next 8 years there. During his detention, he was subjected to horrific physical and sexual abuse. Such was the impact, to this day, he has never discussed what happened during those formative years there. He was released in 1961 on licence and finally got to meet his father. He was then sent to Dublin to work in a clothing factory and had some form of relationship with his father until his death 6 years later. He also had some success in tracing the whereabouts of his other siblings.He joined An Garda Siochana in 1968, serving over 30 years, mainly in the detective branch. He married and had 6 children.After the release of the Ryan Report, he sought to apply to the Residential Institutions Redress Board in 2009, to discover they closed applications from December 2005. In 2011, he attended before the Redress Board, a humiliating experience and the catalyst for him leaving Ireland when his impending divorce was finalised.In late 2019, when the then Minister for Education set up a further review into survivors of Residential institution abuse, he started communicating with them regarding his role as a survivor of abuse. He resides in Malta with his wife Sonya, and has a good relationship with his children, and who are supportive of his writing this memoir.

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