Anniversary of Kenny’s Magdalene apology to be marked

By Patsy Mcgarry
Irish Times
February 19, 2014

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/anniversary-of-kenny-s-magdalene-apology-to-be-marked-1.1697090

Survivors of Magdalene Laundries on theit way into the Dáil this day last year to sit in the public gallery for the debate on the McAleese Magdalene report and an apology from Enda Kenny on behalf of the State. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times.

A wreath will be laid at the gates of Leinster House at midday today to mark the first anniversary of Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s apology to women who had been in Magdalene laundries.

A second wreath will be laid at Glasnevin cemetery on the graves of undocumented Magdalene women buried there this afternoon.

The National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) has called on the State to deliver on its promises to provide full restorative justice for women survivors of the laundries without further delay.

Its head of outreach Rachel Doyle said that “a year ago today, Enda Kenny’s apology saw the Magdalene survivors vindicated and gave them hope of finally achieving justice. Yet one year on, many of the women are yet to receive a penny.

“Some women have received offer letters detailing their lump sum and weekly payment entitlements, yet this Government has failed to deliver on the promise of pensions and healthcare benefits, as well as all other elements of restorative justice called for by Justice Quirke.”

Ms Doyle called on the Taoiseach to put “a definitive timeline” in place for the passing of legislation to ensure the State provides the women with the justice they deserve.

“Women survivors whose lives in and outside of the laundries were and continue to be characterised by physical and psychological suffering, poverty and stigma, should not have to deal with further suffering brought on by additional delays,” she said.

“At least three survivors have died and two others have experienced repeated hospitalisations in the year since the apology. Full justice must be delivered to these women as a matter of urgency.”

The council’s director Orla O’Connor said it was “unacceptable” that the women had still not received “the justice called for by the United Nations Commission Against Torture, and promised by the Taoiseach himself”.

“Enda Kenny must offer clarity on the status of survivors living outside Ireland and those whose duration of stay records are not available,” she added.