“I Apologise Unreservedly To All Those Women” Taoiseach Apologises To Magdalene Survivors

Two weeks after a report revealed that 10,000 women were incarcerated in the Magdalene Laundries, the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, has apologised to the survivors.

Speaking tonight at the Dail’s discussion on the report into the State’s involvement with the controversial laundries, the Taoiseach stated:

“Therefore, I, as Taoiseach, on behalf of the State, the government and our citizens deeply regret and apologise unreservedly to all those women for the hurt that was done to them, and for any stigma they suffered as a result of the time they spent in a Magdalene Laundry.”

Mr Kenny stated that the report on the Laundries “shines a bright and necessary light on a dark chapter of Ireland’s history” and that the government believed the women should get the “compassion and the recognition” that they deserved.

Enda Kenny revealed plans to erect a memorial for all those who suffered at the laundries

The Taoiseach’s apology follows the publication of a report from former senator Martin McAleese, which revealed that the State was responsible for 24 per cent of all admissions to the Magdalene Laundries. The report also revealed that 10,000 women were incarcerated in the workhouses for many reasons such as petty crime, foster families no longer receiving state allowances, being orphans, being homeless or being mentally or physically disabled.

The last laundry, located on Sean MacDermott Street in Dublin’s north inner city closed in 1996.

The Taoiseach stated that after reflecting on the Magdalene report, he believes that the survivors of the laundries deserve more than his formal apology and has asked Judge John Quirke to undertake a three month review and to make recommendations on how the women can be compensated.

Mr Kenny also stated that a permanent memorial to Magdalene survivors should be established.