59 Comments

• beaumax99 | Feb 04, 2012, 06:20 PM EST

  @ ciaradexy...You are obviously not only a racist but an atheist as well. MAY GOD FORGIVE YOU!!! That's right..I can use my GOD in my daily life because "I Believe". Don;t tell me to leave my GOD out of anything. Who do you think you are..you PIG!!!

• brennanirish | Feb 02, 2012, 10:36 AM EST

  WOW. I JUST SPENT TIME, I CANT GET BACK, READING THESE ENLIGHTENING POSTS ON.....BEING IRISH. TOM HAYDEN'S BOOK, "IRISH ON THE INSIDE" ENCAPSULATES A GREAT VIEW OF IRISHNESS. I KNOW,I KNOW, ALL YOU HATERS...HE'S A LIBERAL "FREAK" BUT ITS INTERESTING. AT A RECENT ST PATS. PARADE IN WILM. DE. I WAS TALKING TO AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN, (ITS OK), WHO SAID HE AND HIS FAMILY CAME EVERY YEAR BECAUSE THEY WERE IRISH TOO. I THINK THATS AWESOME!!! OR YOU COULD TAKE WELLINGTONS VIEW OF IRISHNESS (WHICH HE DENIED)BY QUIPING "BECAUSE A MAN IS BORN IN A BARN, THAT DOES NOT MAKE THE MAN A HORSE". IF ANYONE WANTS TO BE IRISH, I SAY GOD BLESS YE!! THE MORE THE MERRIER....HAVE A PARADE....IN HOBOKEN!!!

• ciaradexy | Feb 02, 2012, 04:48 AM EST

  Pilib, I wouldnt class Adams and McGuinness as responsible. Try Richard Boyd Barrett and Joe Higgins if you want an accurate representation of whats happening.

• upsceach | Feb 02, 2012, 01:07 AM EST

  I think using Evil Irish Lady has a nice ring to it. The idea is to catch attention with the headline so that people will read the story. Don't over think it. I wonder did she buy pink Prada shoes just like the Pope. Now thats money well spent. Fair play to her, she had a good run................... spelling might be off. a long day had.

• upsceach | Feb 02, 2012, 12:59 AM EST

  im waiting for the song EVIL IRISH LADY, Van the Man could put a good blues tone to it. That would work for the Irish and the Americian Irish Americans. I wonder did she take the money because she wanted a taste.

• pilib04 | Feb 01, 2012, 07:56 PM EST

  How many of the posts here are about the theft at the Archdiocese (at least the money won't be used to protect child-rapists) and how many are off topic. I find that the so-called anti-American attitude in Ireland is the figment of a handful of anti-Americans. Ireland is one of the most pro-American/American-Irish countries in the world bar none. Every time I visit relatives and friends in Ireland (and northern England), I always amazed at how welcomed I am in Ireland as opposed to England or other countries. The Irish never want you to leave whether its their home, a pub, church etc. As for American understanding of Ireland we do quite well (thank you very much) in getting our information from responsible Irish (such as Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness). As for pub talk, I find that it is quite difficult to be quiet when you are constantly being engaged in conversation. I think "big mouths" and "know it alls" are unwanted in any social setting.

• ciaradexy | Feb 01, 2012, 05:33 PM EST

  If you cant give me an example, please dont make the accusation.

• KidShelleen | Feb 01, 2012, 05:26 PM EST

  Can anyone please help this person out from the error of his ways?

• ciaradexy | Feb 01, 2012, 05:02 PM EST

  Now youre starting to talk in riddles. Explain to me where my extremest convictions are please.

• KidShelleen | Feb 01, 2012, 04:39 PM EST

  Ciaradexy Your statement reflects your extremisms.

• ciaradexy | Feb 01, 2012, 04:17 PM EST

  Discrimination can be defined as-The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, esp. on the grounds of race, age, or sex. I, in no way suggested that someone is treated differently because of their ethnic or cultural background so that argument is invalid. Also to say that 5 million are dying to leave Ireland is untrue. During the boom years any emigration was just Irish people doing the year in Australia and staying on. People had jobs here and so didnt want or have to leave. Now its out of necessity for most. I agree with you on the integration issue. If people dont make the effort, they should be deported.

• KidShelleen | Feb 01, 2012, 04:01 PM EST

  Ciaradexy. Thank you for your enlighten. I agree about your Americans in Ireland. Be assured it is not only the Irish in Ireland who suffer from removed generations of United States citizens hanging on to their long lost roots. Remember in these times ancestral trip is a big money spinner and is relatively harmless hobby and it gives many people comfort to feel they have longitude not just Irish but most European countries. The first time Irish who go abroad are carbon copies of your stereotype descriptions of Irish Americans. The common saying among language you are unlikely to speak say is there are 5 million people in Ireland trying to get out and 40 million outside the country singing about it wishing to go back there. So it cuts both ways. If you want the US dollar you have to suffer paying for it. When you emigrate to your Irish ghettos, many people about you wish you would integrate or go home. It’s a fact. This is not the topic I made, I am discreetly pointing out the problem with Irish racism and your posting gave me example of discrimination.

• ciaradexy | Feb 01, 2012, 03:40 PM EST

  Kid, just to clear something up, ''He'' is actually She and she was born in Holles St hospital in Ireland and will end up dying somewhere in Ireland too.

• ciaradexy | Feb 01, 2012, 03:34 PM EST

  Im not attacking anyone Kid. Im merely stating how Americans of Irish decent are viewed in Ireland. I'll give you a couple of examples, I was in Castletownbere in November, sitting at a bar having my dinner. There was an American standing at the other end of the bar telling everyone how Irish he was and about how his ancestors left whenever. It was like a scene from The Field! He was being ignored for about an hour but I could see the eyes rolling from the irritation until finally an old man told him to keep his stories to himself because no one was bothered listening to the loud yank tell his tales of woe! I was in Kilmainham Gaol a few weeks ago and the tour guide had to tell the Americans who kept applauding to stop clapping and stop talking and trying to tell the other tourists all about what you have read!! Americans do not have a very good rep here when it comes to issues of heritage. I have a mate living here who is from NY and he has even said it to me! Americans with Irish heritage are not remotely similar to Irish people even though they seem to think that they are. I think Americans need to accept that and also accept that the Ireland their ancestors left is gone and we have moved on. The Irish dont live in the past so Americans shouldn't be disappointed when they see and realise that. Americans can be very patronising towards the Irish and Ireland and we find that very offensive.

• KidShelleen | Feb 01, 2012, 03:06 PM EST

  joycean. This statement is typical negative attack genders type war), and further “you dont live in Ireland and all you know about my home is what you read on this site.” This last quote serve to highlight my point on racism “ciaradexy” indiscriminately attacks you, assuming you are not pure Irish as he wants us to believe he is.

• KidShelleen | Feb 01, 2012, 03:04 PM EST

  joycean. The fine point of accuracy applied “Irish Central played (Gender Card) equal to playing (Racial Card), we have two genders and putting it crudely they do kill each other with venom equal to race hatred. Fortunately “ciaradexy” saved the day by shortening a long explanation in this statement; “I have the right to be offended by it and to have the culture I live in, was born into and will live the rest of my life in belittled and insulted by the likes of you who lives in their own version of what it is to be Irish”

• KidShelleen | Feb 01, 2012, 03:00 PM EST

  joycean.Next reference to race. “same race cannot usually be accused of racism against others of the same group.” I also agree here.

• KidShelleen | Feb 01, 2012, 02:57 PM EST

  joycean. In our topic you make three seperate items to address. First to America to mean United States of America. I have being to America but not the United States. With that exclusion I acknowledge your book of United States English dictionary. Do you agree to this part of the topic to rest?

• KidShelleen | Feb 01, 2012, 02:54 PM EST

  joycean. In our topic you make three seperate items to address. First to America to mean United States of America. I have being to America but not the United States. With that exclusion I acknowledge your book of United States English dictionary. Do you agree to this part of the topic to rest?

• ciaradexy | Feb 01, 2012, 01:39 PM EST

  Citizen, youve just made the point my American cousins make. Their parents are Irish but they are, like you said, American irish or American with Irish heritage. When they are in Ireland, they dont feel like they 'fit-in' as irish, they feel American but even in the US, they dont really know what 'heritage' most of their friends are as they are all culturally American. You made some very good points in your post there.

• joycean | Feb 01, 2012, 01:38 PM EST

  CitizenWhy, Good post. I don't usually refer to myself as "Irish-American," but I did once in Ireland to raised eyebrows. Some Irish people asked my husband where his ancestors were from, as if every American must have Irish ancestors. He answered that he is an "American" because his ancestors go back to the original settlers and include American Indians. Those of us of more recent immigrant ancestors may identify ourselves with our parents' country of origin. I do have a couple of issues. The Irish government allows the grandchildren of anyone born in Ireland to register as as Irish citizens, so I think people who are Irish citizens or qualify to be, could legitemately call themselves "Irish." Also Irish Americans, especially those who live in very Irish enclaves like around Boston or NYC may do it just as shorthand.

• CitizenWhy | Feb 01, 2012, 12:53 PM EST

  Here's the sociological definition of Irish: ... 1. Someone born and raised in Ireland is Irish. Someone born there but not raised there can also be considered Irish, but may fit in better with the next categories. ... 2. Someone with a parent or two born and raised in Ireland would be called "American Irish" or "Canadian Irish" and so on. ... 3. Someone with Irish ancestors beyond parents can call themselves Irish-American or Irish-Canadian and so on. BUT there are many distinct Irish American cultures in the US and many with parents born and raised in Ireland do not fit into any of these cultures and avoid referring to themselves as Irish Americans. I have two parents born and raised in Ireland but I avoid referring to myself as Irish American because I definitely do not fit into any of the Irish-American sub cultures I have encountered, even though I get along fine with most. In fact I am sometimes asked if I am Irish (meaning Irish American) or what my ancestry is. This is because I do not appear to be "Irish" to these Irish Americans even though they are usually impressed with how much I know about Ireland. For a very long time I have in fact had friends only among people who are not Irish Americans. I feel more compatible with these friends because we share, despite differences, a common American culture. ... But people in Ireland need to understand that Irish Americans on the whole call themselves Irish. Inaccurate, but there it is.

• ciaradexy | Feb 01, 2012, 12:38 PM EST

  Joycean,''And people of the same race cannot usually be accused of racism against others of the same group.'' Good point but there are a few people on this site who do this all the time! Irish and Polish tend to be traditionally white but a particular poster refers to the Poles and other Eastern Europeans as vermin etc. Also I have been called Racist towards Irish people as Im ok with immigration into Ireland. Im not quite sure how that works though!

• joycean | Feb 01, 2012, 12:31 PM EST

  KidShelleen, I thought the term "lady" was amusing too, but it is used that way in America. My dictionary gives it the third most common usage:"woman, female." More common uses are 1 "a woman having proprietory rights or authority;2 a. cap "VIRGIN MARY" b. " a woman of refinement or gentle manners," which is what you had in mind. Also, we would not recognize this as "racist." We usually only refer to "races" along color lines: white, black, yellow, brown. My dictionary does define "Race" as ""a family, tribe, people, or nation belonging to the same stock." Using our definition, Irish-Americans are the same "stock" as Irish in Ireland. And people of the same race cannot usually be accused of racism against others of the same group. I can be accused of racism against black or hispanics, but not against other whites, whom our government calls "Caucasians."

• ciaradexy | Feb 01, 2012, 12:20 PM EST

  No I dont have the authority to change it but I have the right to be offended by it and to have the culture I live in, was born into and will live the rest of my life in belittled and insulted by the likes of you who lives in their own version of what it is to be Irish. I dont comment on stories regarding US politics or politicians etc because I dont know anything about them due to not living there and not living among the people who they affect just like you dont live in Ireland and all you know about my home is what you read on this site.

• joycean | Feb 01, 2012, 12:12 PM EST

  ciara, Your posts are offensive to me, because you refuse to accept our heritage and language. You may not like our language, but you do not have the authority to change it.

• ciaradexy | Feb 01, 2012, 11:53 AM EST

  Now Joyceans post is labelled as being by Kid Shelleen! Whats the story??!!

• ciaradexy | Feb 01, 2012, 11:48 AM EST

  Whats going on? Why has no name appeared above Joyceans latest post? This website is haunted. By Irish definition, you are not Irish which is why this article is so offensive to people like me who are Irish born and raised.

• KidShelleen | Feb 01, 2012, 11:47 AM EST

  Irish Central published article; “‘Evil’ Irish lady steals $1 million from Archdiocese of New York. It is paradoxical to read this woman described as “Evil” is also referred as “Lady”, which grates against “Evil” man being referred to as “Gentleman.” For examples this argument; Jack the Ripper and the Boston Strangler, could be supposed Gentlemen – were killing "Evil” Ladies and from this have honor, these “Lady” killers are gentlemen? In this instance Irish Central have played (Gender Card) equal to playing (Racial Card). Is Irish gender equal to Irish racist? Order, order ladies and gentlemen please!

• KidShelleen | Feb 01, 2012, 11:41 AM EST

  Ciara, No, I'm not. I am trying to explain that there is a difference between the way a word is used in two different languages which have the same root language. A word in Spanish may look the same as a word in French or Italian because the three languages come from Latin, but over the years, the word may have changed in pronounciation and meaning, as in "jamais." American English has been a separate language for almost 200 years. Irish Americans call themselves Irish or Irish American.Collins's relationship is to Ireland is not clear,but there's a good chance she has an Irish ancestor or two. In this country, we use an American dictionary to check on word meaning, and that may be different from what is in the OED. By our definition, I am also Irish.

• ciaradexy | Feb 01, 2012, 11:16 AM EST

  See joycean, youre doing that age old thing Americans do of insulting Irish people. Dont label someone as an Irish criminal if in fact they are yanks.

• joycean | Feb 01, 2012, 11:01 AM EST

  Beaumax, I agree. There are a number of people who do not like the use of "Irish" by Irish Americans. Since the crimes were in America, and Irish Central is written and published in the US, O'Shea can use the American language.

• ciaradexy | Feb 01, 2012, 10:58 AM EST

  The issue Beaumax, is I dont want a person who isnt Irish to be pigeonholed as an evil Irish lady! And please leave your god out of this debate!

• beaumax99 | Feb 01, 2012, 09:30 AM EST

  Please explain to me whether her being Irish, Irish American, English, White, Black, Hispanic, has to do with the offense at hand!!! These criminals are INDIVIDUALS who have committed a crime, whether against the church, or the public. I think people who constantly argue over naitonalities are the most prejudice people that GOD has put upon this earth. It doesn't matter what nationality people are. YOU ARE EITHER GOOD OR BAD!!! VERY SIMPLE!!!

• ciaradexy | Feb 01, 2012, 08:37 AM EST

  Joycean, In Ireland Irish means Irish not Irish American.

• mamaginnty | Feb 01, 2012, 08:20 AM EST

  To call her evil is wrong, if she had robbed a bank they would not have called her evil, but to rob the RC church well that makes it the devils work. Just goes to show how much money they are collecting. She did not hurt anyone, like the church she was working for, Thats where the devils work was being done. Mentally I think the woman needs help, Just like Bogsidebunny needs help, big chip on the shoulder about all things irish.

• joycean | Feb 01, 2012, 07:52 AM EST

  American English is a separate dialect and has been since 1829, when Noah Wbster published the first Dictionary of the American Language. My copy of Webster's defines "Irish" as "natives or inhabitants of Ireland or their descendants." In our language, it is correct to use "Irish" for "Irish-American."

• dipsydolly | Feb 01, 2012, 05:48 AM EST

  If it came to light during a routine audit how come the previous audits never showed anything, Perhaps they should also be pressing charges against the Auditors for profesional negligence, and an investigation into possible collusion. The Church must be creaming a fortune off their worshipers if they didnt notice a missing million.

• ciaradexy | Jan 31, 2012, 07:28 PM EST

  Is she Irish or American? Theres a big difference.

• JBRAFTREE | Jan 31, 2012, 05:33 PM EST

  Do they not know who they hire or let work in these responsible jobs???? I'm head usher at my 7:30 AM Sunday Mass and after the collection, I have an on the job cop with a great big gun accompany my guy to the rectory with the proceeds. The money counters there are beyond reproach. Known them all for many years.

• paulquigley | Jan 31, 2012, 04:37 PM EST

  You are not going to believe this, but the chief financial officer of the Philadelphia archdiosese has been arrested and charged with stealing one million dollars. Details can be found on the front page of last Sunday's Phila. Inquirer.

• hyattsville | Jan 31, 2012, 03:36 PM EST

  Between that and the huge amounts being paid for clergy misconduct¬ I’d say the NY Archbishops appeal will be pretty forceful this year! Why do you always claim that someone is Irish based on their last name? Have you done this with Eddie Murphy and Vincente Fox?

• jimwhalen | Jan 31, 2012, 01:14 PM EST

  I want to know if she is in fact Irish. It's very possible that she is not. Lets confirm her maiden name, or confirm for us if she factually is Irish, per your Evil Title. Now put her away...

• joycean | Jan 31, 2012, 01:08 PM EST

  "Irish" may mean Irish-American. O'Shea may be making that inference from her surname.

• rainbowbrew | Jan 31, 2012, 01:01 PM EST

  the RCC is so hypocritical.

• Nicomax | Jan 31, 2012, 12:43 PM EST

  The New York Times today reported her apartment was filled with dolls, and it appears she also got herself 'dolled up' at Barneys and Brook Brothers. Background checks seemed to not have been a part of the Archdiocese employment procedures, which as we know have hurt them in the past.

• norinalundy | Jan 31, 2012, 12:01 PM EST

  They arrest her, and keep transferring around pedophile priests? What's wrong with this picture? A background check was not necessary for those priests that were transferred, they had the victims to refer to; plenty of background, yet they kept them employed in the church. However, the figure she stole was over an amazing $1 million bucks! So what trumps, money or the hundreds or maybe thousands of souls the pedophile priests stole?

• sroneil | Jan 31, 2012, 11:49 AM EST

  SAINTS PERSERVE!!!! ONLY $19000 SPENT AT A IRISH GIFT SHOP!!! MOVE HER AROUND TO ANOTHER PARISH....HIDE THE FACTS FROM THE PUBLIC AND THEN EXPECT THE PARISH TO FEEL SORRY FOR THE CLERGY WHILE WE LOCK UP A 67 YEAR OLD....WAIT!! TRANSFER HER TO ROME SO SHE CAN AVOID THE CHARGES....

• BishopSean | Jan 31, 2012, 11:41 AM EST

  A wise elder lawyer once said to me about managing money, "trust everybody, but lead nobody into temptation." Apparently there was also a Roman Catholic Bishop in the MidWestern USA whom everyone agrees was a fine bishop and person, but he did not conduct sufficient oversight over his accountants and his chief accountant systematically robbed from his diocese over years. The Roman Catholic clergy could afford to learn from Evangelical churches how to better manage money--the pastors' only role is oversight and they personally pay out funds for nothing. The Treasurer is responsible to the Church Board and the BoD are responsible to the Pastor. This allows the Pastor to be more involved in evangelizing and pastoral care.

• Clancey | Jan 31, 2012, 11:04 AM EST

  67 is "old"???? True, it's not young, but I think of people in their 80s and 90s as "old." James O'Shea must be a 20-something who knows everything about the world.

• CitizenWhy | Jan 31, 2012, 10:50 AM EST

  "Evil and Irish are not compatible"? Well, I guess that means that all the Irish priest sex abuse and Irish orphan abuse cases never happened, just fictions made up by other Irish, who, of course, are not evil for making up such evil lies. ... Collective narcissism is just as repellent as individual narcissism, and often often more evil in its effects.

• CitizenWhy | Jan 31, 2012, 10:46 AM EST

  The article neglected to mention that much of what she stole - she did steal - went toward purchasing many expensive dolls. There is a certain cunning childishness, neediness, daffiness about her. This case reminds me of Yeats' poem, "the Dolls."

• CelticQueenUSA | Jan 31, 2012, 10:32 AM EST

  Evil and Irish are not compatable to me. This money was better spent by her than lawyers getting it to keep the scandal silent!

• deemaster | Jan 31, 2012, 09:50 AM EST

  How do you know she is Irish? All other papers report that she is from the Throggs Neck Section of the Bronx. Article looks like it was taken from Daily News Article " Evil church lady’ Anita Collins, 67, stole $1M from church". Just because she spent her "ill gotten gains" in a Irish Gift Shop does not make her irish. Please provide true facts.

• butlerreport | Jan 31, 2012, 09:46 AM EST

  Considering her crimes didn't involve the sexual abuse of children she's probably on a better footing with the man above than her employers.

• PhlutiePhan | Jan 31, 2012, 09:37 AM EST

  I would wonder if there is any connection to the scandal involving Msgr. Clarke, a rector of St. Patrick's, and his alleged married girlfriend. I visited St. Patrick's and had occasion to meet the girlfriend at the rectory. She ran and controlled everything at St. Patrick's. She would have had to hire this woman.

• fitzcarraldo | Jan 31, 2012, 09:33 AM EST

  She probably spent it better than the Diocese. They would have spent it decrying birth control.

• soccernet | Jan 31, 2012, 08:55 AM EST

  Good for this lady, Churches don't help anybody with the money anyway.

• keencrow | Jan 31, 2012, 08:54 AM EST

  Mr. O'Shea, I don't see any reference to her Irish area of birth in this article. To call her an "Evil" Irish lady, would be a terrible error, if indeed she hails from the states or anywhere else. It's a sad story regardless; I do hope your facts are straight. If not, please correct.