‘State denying the Magdalene laundry abuse’

By Ellen Coyne
Times
July 28, 2017

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/ireland/state-denying-the-magdalene-laundry-abuse-gp6fhjvrf

In 2013 Enda Kenny apologised “unreservedly” to the women abused in the Magdalene laundries

Ireland is walking away from Enda Kenny’s famous apology for the abuse suffered by women in Magdalene laundries, a United Nations committee against torture has claimed.

In 2011 the same committee called for an independent investigation into the laundries that should include offering redress to the victims and prosecuting the perpetrators of the abuse.

Its scrutiny preceded Mr Kenny’s apology to the women involved and the launch of the McAleese commission to examine their cases.

During a hearing yesterday the state was criticised for claiming there was no factual evidence of systematic torture or ill-treatment in the laundries. Felice Gaer, the committee vice-chairwoman, said that the state was “walking back” from Mr Kenny’s apology by returning to a position of believing it was not liable for the abuse.