Illegal adoption doctor ‘did a good thing’
A Longford woman says that she bears no ill will towards a doctor who organised her ‘backstreet’ adoption in the 1970s.
Margaret Norton, who lives in Co Longford, had been looking for her biological mother for the last two years and tracked down her birth place to Carrickmacross in Monaghan.
The location of her birth was 31 O’Neill Street, the location of the surgery of a Dr Irene Creedon. It is now thought that Dr Creedon was behind a number of technically illegal adoptions, including that of Margaret.
“I think what she [Dr Creedon]did was in many ways a very good thing. I’ve had a great life. I’ve been very priviledged,” Margaret explained.
“I don’t know what would have happened to me if I hadn’t been adopted. I would have been put into a home or been brought up in a laundry.
“What I’m angry about is the fact that there is no way for me to find my biological mother. No clues at all. No paper trail has been left, and I think that was done purposefully. That’s frustrating.”
“It would also make it very difficult for my mother to contact me should have wanted to,” says Margaret who has not given up hope that she would find her birth mother.
“Not only from an emotional point of view but also from a health point of view, I would like to know my medical history,” Margaret explained.
The trail has run cold, though thanks to coverage in local newspapers in Monaghan, other people who have had similar experiences have been in contact with Margaret. Sadly, both Margaret’s parents have passed away and can no longer help her with her quest to find her birth mother.
“All I know is that I was given to them in a carpark in either Dundalk or Drogheda.”
Margaret also believes that there are people in Carrickmacross that know who her birth mother was.
“There are people in Carrick that probably know who she was, but they are afraid to talk. And I understand that. It’s a very sensitive subject.”
She says that if it were not for the support of her family she would not have been able to go about the business of tracking down her birth mother.
“Their support has been brilliant. This was something I felt that I had to do, and I haven’t given up hope yet.”
If you have any information that could help Margaret, contact newsroom@longford-leader.ie. All information will be passed onto Margaret in strict confidence.
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Friday 24 May 2013
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