Series wwo of The Big Story features more Irish journalists discussing the major stories of their careers. Stories like Conor O’Clery’s eyewitness account of the attacks of 9/11; Mary Raftery on clerical abuse in Irish institutional care homes; Paul Kimmage on sporting scandals; Susan McKay on family abuse cases as well as sectarian murders in Northern Ireland; Niall O’Dowd on visas, Clinton and the Anglo-Irish agreement; Shane Ross on banking and economic scandals. Their stories offer a unique slant on Irish and international news gathering both past and present and the journalistic attitudes that help shape them.
Susan McKay – Episode 4, FRIDAY APRIL 30
Derry-born, Susan McKay is probably best known for her book about the Sophia McColgan family abuse case. Susan entered print journalism after years working as a rape crisis and abuse counsellor.
As a Northern Protestant, Susan McKay’s controversial writing has often focused on violence and injustice against women as well as the conflict in Northern Ireland. During the summer of 1997, following the Drumcree parade, two innocent Catholic teenagers were murdered in separate sectarian attacks. They, and the Sophia McColgan story, have had a lasting impact on Susan.
In May 2009, Susan was appointed Director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland.