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Lawyer Wins New Award for Magdalene Campaign

By Fionnan Sheahan
Irish Independent
August 23, 2013

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/lawyer-wins-new-award-for-magdalene-campaign-29521699.html

THE young lawyer who took on the cause of the Magdalene Laundries victims has won a prestigious award for her human rights work.

London-based trainee barrister Maeve O'Rourke has been selected as the Family Law 2013 Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year.

The 26-year-old is the eldest daughter of RTE broadcaster Sean O'Rourke and Caroline Murphy.

It's the second accolade she has received for her work, after receiving an award from the Ireland Fund last year.

But Ms O'Rourke says the awards are a testimony to the work carried out by many on behalf of the Magdalene Laundries women.

"It's been a huge team effort. I have worked with really fantastic people.

"This struck me as being one of the most appalling human rights cases I had ever come across – and it was right on my doorstep," she said.

Having studied at UCD and also Harvard Law School, she is currently in her final year as a trainee barrister, conducting her pupillage at 4 Paper Buildings in London.

While still a law student, Ms O'Rourke became a legal adviser to the Justice for Magdalenes group.

She brought the case before the Irish Human Rights Commission in 2010 and the UN Committee against Torture and the UN Human Rights Council in 2011.

Earlier this year, Taoiseach Enda Kenny issued an apology to the Magdalene Laundries women, and now the Government is engaged in providing a compensation package to the victims.

 

 

 

 

 




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