Girls Were Sent to Laundry for Not Having Train Ticket

By Dearbhail McDonald
Irish Independent
February 6, 2013

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/girls-were-sent-to-laundry-for-not-having-train-ticket-3377885.html

WOMEN were sent to Magdalene Laundries for petty crimes, such as failing to buy a train ticket and snatching purses. Others were detained for more serious crimes, such as prostitution, manslaughter, murder and killing babies they had recently given birth to.

One woman who was convicted of stealing a bike and attempting suicide was detained for a year, according to the report.

The vast majority of those who entered laundries through the criminal-justice system were put there on foot of minor crimes.

The most common entry method for girls admitted to laundries was on foot of probation orders requiring them to be resident for up to three years.