Justice for Magdalene Group Ends Campaign

By Kevin Doyle
Irish Independent
May 17, 2013

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/justice-for-magdalene-group-ends-campaign-29274696.html

THE Justice for Magdalenes group has announced the end of its political campaign.

The advocacy body for survivors of the laundries said that it had achieved its main objectives.

Its members will continue to assist survivors but only in a personal capacity.

The body said today that its main aims where to bring about an official apology from the State for survivors and the establishment of a compensation scheme.

“The door will be open to every survivor and/or her family members and/or other groups representing Magdalene survivors to pursue their own claim for redress,” said a statement.

JFM was set up four years ago as a voluntary organisation and a spokesperson said that it “as achieved all that it can by way of political advocacy”.

“The responsibility to ensure that justice is delivered to survivors of the Laundries now rests with all members of Irish society, including Church, State, families and local communities.

“It is the collective responsibility of all citizens to ensure that the promise of An Taoiseach’s official State apology is delivered upon,” they said.

JFM has contacted all of the survivors and relatives who they have worked with in recent years to inform them of the decision to withdraw from the political arena.

“It has been our great privilege to earn the women’s trust and we will always feel indebted to them for sharing their life stories with us,” their statement said.