Magdalene Laundry Victims in Tearful Enda Kenny Chat

By Myles McEntee
The Sun
February 12, 2013

http://www.thesun.ie/irishsol/homepage/news/4790806/Magdalene-Laundry-victims-in-tearful-Enda-Kenny-chat.html

Compassion ... Enda Kenny

SURVIVORS of the Magdalene Laundries cried yesterday as they told Taoiseach Enda Kenny their harrowing stories.

Six women who served in the nun-run workhouses had an emotional three-hour meeting with Mr Kenny and Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore at Government Buildings.

Speaking afterwards, the survivors praised the meeting — and said it had helped bring some “closure” to the affair.

And they said they were sure Mr Kenny would make a formal apology on behalf of the State for their treatment, as highlighted in the McAleese Report.

The probe found significant state involvement in the laundries, and Mr Kenny was severely criticised for stopping short of a full apology.

One of the survivors said she now expects the apology when the Dail debates the matter on February 19. Maureen Sullivan, from Wexford, said: “All we ask for is two words: I’m sorry.”

She praised Kenny’s compassionate manner, saying: “He was very sympathetic. He said, ‘I believe you.’

“The saddest part of it was we had to go over our stories again, so that was quite tearful.”

The Taoiseach said the subject of redress was not on the agenda of yesterday’s meeting.