Mrs Governor Mary O’Connor retires

On June 21, 2019 Mrs Governor Mary O’Connor said her farewell to Dochas Centre and retired from her office.

On that day all women prisoners were locked in their cells. During this time, a farewell event for Mrs Governor Mary O’Connor was held on the gym. In presence of officers, prison guards, friends and family.

Prisoners locked in their cells were given sweet muffins.
After the part at the gym, Mrs Governor Mary O’Connor, accompanied by her family walked around whole prison for the lat time. She also visited every cell. Martha recalls that everyone was very kind and admired her paintings.

A week earlier similar farewell event but in the presence of inmates was also held in the gym.
At the beginning a choir of prisoners sang a short song (exceptionally on that day Martha didn’t sing in the choir). Later Mrs Governor made a speech and was handed presents from the inmates. There was also a time for personal talks with women serving their sentences in Dochas Centre in Dublin.
Speaking to Martha Mrs Governor Mary O’Connor said, that everyone leaves the prison eventually.

Photo: Archive photo taken from https://www.irishprisons.ie/prison/dochas-centre/

“It’s my life – A life sentence! Fragments of book written by Polish woman convicted for murder” – The Polish Telegraph (in Polish language)

Its my LIFE – Dożywocie! Fragmenty książki Polki skazanej za morderstwo! | The Polish Telegraph

Its my LIFE – Dożywocie! Fragmenty książki Polki skazanej za morderstwo! | The Polish Telegraph

Source: www.thepolishtelegraph.co.uk/wiadomosci/artykul/175-its-my-life-dozywocie-fragmenty-ksiazki-polki-skazanej-za-morderstwo

‘Every Women – Every Story’ – a supplement of the post from May 9, 2018

On May 9, 2018, we’ve published a post:

Special meeting of all women prisoners – Martha understands very little

Today was a meeting of every woman prisoner, held in the gym.
Everyone who wanted to come.
We’re not sure of the occasion or the purpose of this meeting.
It is possible that it was held on the occasion of 100 anniversary of gaining rights by women in Ireland.
The meeting happened on 10 a.m. and lasted until 11:40a.m.

Read more…

Now we publish a supplement:

Every woman – every story

Source: http://www.wgpa.ie/every-woman-every-story/

Toward a Trauma – Responsive Criminal Justice System: Why, How – Dublin Castle Conference Centre 4th July, 2018 – Governor Mary O’Connor

Dochas Centre: How Christmas Day is spent inside Ireland’s women’s prison – rsvplive.ie from December 24, 2018

Dochas Centre: How Christmas Day is spent inside Ireland’s women’s prison

Dóchas Centre: How Christmas Day is spent inside Ireland’s women’s prison

RSVP’s Marguerite Kiely visits Mary O’Connor, governor of theDochas Centre in Dublin

Source: www.rsvplive.ie/news/irish-news/dchas-centre-how-christmas-day-13766478

Highly recommended

Death always comes too early – words of gratitude for Senior Marshal of Polish Parliament Kornel Morawiecki

On Monday, September 30, 2019, before noon, in the presence of his so, the Prime Minister of Poland, Mateusz Morawiecki, Marshal Senior Kornel Morawiecki had passed away.
In unanimous opinion of Polish people – remarkable personality, a man of action, a patriot, an outstanting Pole.
From our own experience we can also say, a man sensitive to someones harm.
Marshal Senior Kornel Morawiecki, despite attending important matters of the State, and his own health problems, took interest in the case of Martha Herda.
After getting to know the case, he saw the need to intervene in the case of Martha Herda.
The family asked him to wait untim Martha will find herself in Poland…

We wholeheartedly thank the Marshal Senior Kornel Morawiecki for his interest in the case of Martha Herda. This alone was a huge support for Martha and the source of great comfort.
Martha got to know about Marshal’s death on Monday noon. It was exceptionally hard day…

On behalf of Martha Herda and her Family, we express our sincere compassion to the family of late Marshal Senior Kornel Morawiecki.
We express our special sympathy to the Prime Minister of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki, and to Jerzy Morawiecki.
The more Outstanting Man, the greater emptiness remains…

Medical examination for Martha – NOT in Ireland

On Tuesday, August 13, Martha was scheduled with new medical examination in a hospital nearby.
Martha had consulted her family in Poland.
Medical examination and proper treatment are certainly needed for Martha. Both Martha and her family see that.
But after consulting the family, Martha decided: NOT in Ireland.

On Monday, August 12, Martha went to the nurse in prison, and told her about the decision. With respect, politely, but firmly, she refused for the possibility to pass proper medical examination.
The nurse had written Martha’s statement (in English) about refusing all medical examinations in Ireland.
Martha signed the statement.

Tuesday, August 13, passed quietly for Martha.

 

It’s been 3 YEARS already since the disgraceful sentence in Ireland, it’s 3 YEARS of harming Martha Herda

July 28. 2016, Martha Herda appears by herself in the Central Criminal Court in Dublin
A few minutes before the noon, she heard a sentence: lifetime imprisonment.
One would say: “Only in Ireland” – to come for the trial on one’s own recognizance and be imprisoned for the rest of life. In this young girls case – for all of her life.
Yes – “Only in Ireland”

The jury, which couldn’t reach a consensus for few days. Suddenly, “miraculously”, unexpectedly, in the last moment, issues almost unanimous verdict, 11:1.
Coincidence?
We say again: “Only in Ireland”.

Today, after 3 years since that day, sometimes we ask ourselves: “Where the verdict set in the case of Martha Herda really come up?” “And when did the verdict in the case of Martha Herda really come up?”
Are we entitled to such questions?
Maybe time will provide answers and proofs for those questions.
Where do the verdicts in Ireland do come up?
“Only in Ireland”?

And what is now, after 3 years?
The girl, who needs specialized psychological assistance, who is struggling with traumatic memories, who was burdened with responsibility also for the behavior of the passenger of her car.
Instead of receiving such help, she was considered a person, who needs to be isolated from the “healthy”, “normal” society.
One would like to ask “WHO is “healthy” and “normal” here”?
Yes, such things happen only in Ireland.

“Who was he for me? – … Many situations frightened me… I tried crying… I wanted him to stop, to end it.”- twenty first fragment of Martha’s book.

Since that moment the situation got only worse and it was more and more awkward, both at and outside of work. Many situations frightened me, so I tried to show him that I am angry. But when he was saying “I love when you’re angry” I tried crying, because I was getting sad and sorry, especially that so many people have been involved in this nonsense. I wanted him to stop, to end it. So we could get along. Sometimes I was even able to believe that he gave up, when he was  saying that he’s going on a date or coffee with Dagmara. I was happy inside, but again it turned out that he only wanted to check if I’m going to be jealous.

“Not only about the case of Tomasz Komenda” – Oleńka Wagner – Salon24.pl (in Polish language)

Nie tylko o sprawie Tomasza Komendy

Nie tylko o sprawie Tomasza Komendy

Source: www.salon24.pl/u/olenkawagner/950182,nie-tylko-o-sprawie-tomasza-komendy