February 1979
A pregnant Briege McLaughlin moves into the Meehan home in Ardoyne July 14, 1979 Martin Meehan is arrested on kidnapping charges leaving his new partner to care for his three children February 21, 1980 Social services receive an anonymous call reporting that Mary had a black eye October, 1980 School nurse reports serious bruises on Mary and contacts social services October 16, 1980 A case conference is held, she is removed from the home and taken to Lissue House Hospital November 14, 1980 Court Order is made and victim is made a ward of the State November 2007: Martin Meehan dies of a heart attack
2008 Mary Meehan contacts police and reports historic child abuse at the hands of her stepmother November 2010 Briege Meehan is charged with child abuse June 5, 2013 Meehan pleads guilty to child cruelty and assault with sex abuse charges left on the books