They Laughed While We Cried: One man's story of sexual abuse at Blackrock College

It takes strength and courage to turn what happens to you in life into a channel for helping other people who have suffered in the same way.

William O'Connor is a survivor of clerical sexual abuse at both Blackrock College and its junior school Willow Park on the same campus. Although never actually a student at either school, William was raped and sexually abused on several occasions over a period of time by a Spiritan brother and by a lay member of staff, in the late 1960s and 70s.

William tells his own story in this book, 'They Laughed While We Cried' - a very poignant and emotive title for his heart breaking account of what he himself suffered at the hands of Spiritan priests at Blackrock College.

His memories of those laughing, sneering faces, as he cried with pain will never leave him!