The Examiner, Monday, 30 June, 1997
By Grainne Cunningham.

1,500 march against "church".

Anger at sect's role in son's illness

An international day of protest against the Church of Scientology provoked a march in Gorey which brought the Co. Wexford town to a standstill at the weekend. Up to 1,500 marchers paraded through Gorey in a massive display of community solidarity with the Wexford family, the Fortunes, who believe their son, Odhran, has been brainwashed by the Scientologists.

A delegation from the town marched through Dublin city centre on Saturday morning but could not protest outside the organisation's offices in Abbey Street because of a court injunction. Anti-Church of Scientology supporters joined in similar marches in England, Austrailia, Switzerland, and various cities in the United States. The protest day was organised through the Internet, according to Gorey march organiser Derek Webb who is a life-time friend of Odhran Fortune. "It was unbelieveable. Cars were stopping in Gorey and giving money to the family," he said.

The Fortune's are facing significant legal costs in their on-going effort to gain access to their son. The Church of Scientology has already won a court injunction preventing them from coming within 30 yards of their premises. Mr. Webb is convinced that Odhran has been brainwashed ans that being with the Church of Scientology is extremely bad for his health. "Christmas 1996 was the turning point, Odhran is 6ft 2ins but when he came home he only weighed about 7 stone. His brother walked past him in the airport," he said. Mr. Webb also described how Odhran could hardly speak and was following a list of instructions in somebody else's handwriting - "go to airport, buy presents for family," and so on.

Mr. Webb claims that Odhran recovered slowly in the following months, up to the time of he disappeared suddenly in June An investigation into the Church of Scientology is due to get underway once the new Dail is up and running.

You can email us at free_odhran@hotmail.com