Mary Raftery facts for kids

Mary Frances Thérèse Raftery (born 21 December 1957 – died 10 January 2012) was an Irish journalist, filmmaker, and writer. She was known for her important investigative work.

Who Was Mary Raftery?

Mary Raftery was a brave and dedicated journalist from Ireland. She spent her career looking into important issues and sharing the truth with the public. Her work often helped to bring about positive changes in society.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Mary Raftery was born in Dublin, the capital city of Ireland. She started her career in journalism in the 1970s. Her first job was with a magazine called In Dublin. Later, she worked for another magazine named Magill. These early experiences helped her become a skilled writer and investigator.

Her Work at RTÉ

In 1984, Mary Raftery joined Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), which is Ireland's national television and radio broadcaster. This move allowed her to reach a much wider audience with her important stories.

Shining a Light: States of Fear

One of Mary Raftery's most famous works was a documentary series called States of Fear. It was shown on RTÉ in 1999. This series looked into how some children in institutions in Ireland were treated unfairly in the past. Her work was very important because it helped people understand what had happened. It also led to big changes to protect children better in the future.

Other Important Work

Mary Raftery continued her important work, including another significant project called Cardinal Secrets. Through her documentaries and writing, she always aimed to uncover facts and make sure that important stories were told.

Mary Raftery's Legacy

Mary Raftery passed away on 10 January 2012, at the age of 54. She died in St. Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin. After her death, an article in The Irish Times newspaper called her "the most important journalist of the past 30 years." This shows how much her work meant to Ireland and how she is remembered for her courage and dedication to the truth.