Politicians cause our pain then they ‘feel’ it

Here’s a perfect example of Irish political culture. In September, 2009, when Batt O’Keeffe was minister for education, he absolved the State of culpability for the women who had been condemned to the Magdalene laundries.

“The Magdalene laundries were privately owned and operated establishments, which did not come within the responsibility of the State,” he said. “The State did not refer individuals to the Magdalene Laundries, nor was it complicit in referring individuals to them.”

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