IRELAND
Belfast Telegraph

26 JUNE 2013

Survivors of Catholic-run workhouses have threatened to take the Government to the United Nations watchdog on torture over plans to pay some of them as little as 11,500 euro for their detention.

Women detained in Magdalene laundries slammed an offer and criticised the religious orders for not doubling the multimillion compensation package being put forward by the State.

Magdalene Survivors Together warned the Government to go back to the drawing board and take account of the emotional, psychological and physical damage they suffered, as well as loss of earnings for slave labour.

Maureen Sullivan, the youngest known survivor admitted to one of the laundries, claimed the figures “were totted up all wrong”. “They need to go back to the drawing board,” said Ms Sullivan, who ended up sleeping on the streets in England after she left the laundry in New Ross.