Flowers for Magdalene events have taken place around the country

By Caoimhseach Connolly
Newstalk
March 1, 2015

http://www.newstalk.com/Flowers-for-Magdalene-events-have-taken-place-around-the-country

Events to remember women who lived and died in Magdalene laundries and convents took place around the country this weekend.

The Flowers for Magdalene events honour women who were sent to work in laundries run by religious orders. The fourth annual events have been taking place in Waterford, Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin, Cork, Galway, New Ross and other locations.

It is said that is the first time that all cities and towns that had Magdalene laundries have been represented since the Flowers for Magdalene events began.

Last week the Justice For Magdalenes group criticised a report on the laundries, which they say ignored the testimonies of Magdalene survivors.

The group says the McAleese Report gives too much attention to the religious orders' version of events, and ignores survivor testimonies.

Claire McGettrick from Justice for Magdalenes says they are still working to get the proper level of redress and compensation for the affected women:

She also explained the significance of the ceremonies which took place this weekend:

In her speech at the Labour national conference last night, Joan Burton said one of the things she was proudest of as a Labour member was opening "the doors and the files of the Magdalene Laundries to give the women who were incarcerated a just and honest settlement."

Diane Croghan spent three years in Summerhill, Co Wexford. She spoke to Jonathan Healy on Newstalk Lunchtime last month about the difficulties she and the other survivors are now facing.