Man burns himself because of family law

derry | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Tuesday October 26, 2004 21:19

by Hilaal

Inquest told Wolfe & Co., solicitors Skibbereen inferno victim died from severe burns

When Colette McCarthy, solicitor, of Wolfe & Co., solicitors Skibbereen , West Cork took a family law case on behalf of Mrs Catherine Harnedy of Union Hall, she acted "appropriately", according to Irish Family Law but now a man is dead due to self-inflicted severe burns and bronchial pneumonia because, in his own dying words, because her office, "cost him his children".

After his marriage broke down last March Mr Harnedy fell fowl of the Family Law circus that is a major cause of male suicide in Ireland. This heartless, backroom version of a sexual aparthide law is practised out of sight of the public in judges chambers up and down the country. Outright lies are told by clients and solicitors alike who use it's secrecy to tell porkies that would make the devil blush. Lies, cruelty and coldness that drive many men to suicide. Mr Harnedy simply set fire to himself in the offices of those he blamed for his loss barely two months after he and his wife parted ways.

Last year the vast majority of suicides in Ireland were male. Many more male suicides were victims of family law and of solicitors who acted "appropriately". Other men, faced with marriage and relationship break up understood they would not have any chance of a fair hearing before such courts and didn't even contest access to their children. Others were thrown out of their homes on false claims, accepted, without investigation, by the Family Law system. If a woman says it, it is true! The implication being that while all men are brutes all women never lie.

Women of course need protection from brutes but many more men who end up taking their lives need protection from liars who may or may not be their spouse or their spouses solicitor.

Colette McCarthy had never spoken to the man who burned himself to death in her office. She admits she represented his wife and corresponded with his solicitor but never once did she communicate with John Harnedy himself. Would it have made a difference if she did? Who knows, but at least she can sleep sound in the knowledge she acted "appropriately" under this wonderful law.

This is family law. Your fate, your future and access to your children is decided by cold hearted and aloof practitioners of the Law. Is it any wonder men commit suicide to such an extent in Ireland?

"This office cost me my wife and children", were the dying words of John Harnedy , referring to Wolfe & Co., Solicitors Skibbereen and Ms Colette McCarthy in particular. "They are trying to take my children away from me - that's why I did it", he said, as he lay dying on the floor .

On the positive side, Mr Harnedys wife now has complete and uncontested access to his and her children and full possession of their family home. Colette McCarthy is also sure to receive her full fee for her Professional job. What God will make of her "appropriate" behaviour on her final day is fully another matter.