FOUR RELIGIOUS congregations which ran the 10 Magdalene laundries in this State between 1922 and October 1996, when the last one closed, have promised their co-operation with any inquiry which may take place.
Last Monday the UN Committee Against Torture recommended the State “should institute prompt, independent, and thorough investigations into all allegations of torture, and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment that were allegedly committed in the Magdalene Laundries”.
The laundries were operated by the Sisters of Mercy at Galway and Dún Laoghaire; the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity at Drumcondra and Seán MacDermott Street in Dublin, the Sisters of Charity at Donnybrook in Dublin and Cork, and the Good Shepherd Sisters, in Limerick, Cork, Waterford and New Ross. All four congregations are members of the Conference of Religious of Ireland.
In a statement on behalf of the congregations yesterday, the conference said: “This is a sad, complex and dark story of Irish society that extends over 150 years. As the religious congregations, who, in good faith, took over and ran 10 Magdalene homes during part or most of that time and as congregations still in relationship with many residents and former residents, we are willing to participate in any inquiry that will bring greater clarity, understanding, healing and justice in the interests of all the women involved.”
Prof James Smith of the Justice for Magdalenes group has said a “redress board style judicial or legal adversarial process” was “neither appropriate nor practical” given the age profile of survivors.
The women sought an apology, reparations and access to their records, he said.
