Catherine Corless forced an official inquiry, but it seems that the HSE had already been aware of some of the disturbing allegations about Bessborough and Tuam for some time, writes Conall Ó Fatharta.

A US academic wrote to the UN in 2013 claiming material relating to the Magdalene Laundries called parts of the McAleese report “into question on a number of rather serious fronts”.

Survivors of Magdalene laundries, and their relatives, have relived the horrors of rape, abuse and lost lives as they renewed calls for a memorial and full redress.

Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald says the gender pay gap is “unacceptable in this day and age” and that the Constitution is not the place to deal with reproductive rights.

Justice for Magdalenes Research and Adoption Rights Alliance have launched a pro-bono legal initiative to assist witnesses drafting statements to the state commission of inquiry.

The McAleese report is “neither accurate nor respectful” in the suffering women endured in Magdalene laundries, it has been claimed.

The Justice for Magdalenes group is gearing up to sue the State over the hundreds of women who died and were buried in mass — and often unmarked — graves all over the country.

The Justice for Magdalenes group is gearing up to sue the State over the hundreds of women who died and were buried in mass and often unmarked graves.

The long-awaited terms of the commission of inquiry into the mother and baby homes, one which will span almost a century, were announced to more or less widespread acclaim last week.

The Government was “conscious of the danger” of offering redress for Magdalene survivors just months before setting up the McAleese inquiry to investigate the issue.

A grave just discovered by the Justice for Magdalenes group shows that, in one plot in North Dublin alone, a third of the woman buried remained at the Magdalene laundry for more than 50 years.

Justice for Magdalenes has criticised recommendations in draft legislation which sets out their compensation entitlements for treatment they received in the laundries.

Justice for Magdalenes has strongly criticised draft legislation that deals with the entitlements of those given compensation for their suffering in the laundries.

An extensive critique of the McAleese Report into the Magdalene laundries could be published by the year end, according to the Justice for Magdalenes (JFM).

Half of the women at one Magdalene laundry in the 1950s and 1960s never left the institution again but died years later behind the convent walls, according to research which strongly contradicts the Martin McAleese report.

Given the chance to highlight victims’ stories, the McAleese committee sided with powerful institutions once more, writes Simon McGarr

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is planning to accompany President Michael D Higgins on part of his groundbreaking three-day official State visit to the UK this year.

A number of Magdalene survivors have been offered state compensation payments reflecting much shorter lengths of stay than the women endured.

Justice For Magdalenes (JFM) Research has hit out at the Government’s response to UN criticism’s of the McAleese report as “an outrage” which “beggars belief”.

A barrister who has represented victims of the Magdalene Laundries as a law student has been awarded a prestigious legal accolade in Britain.

The Government’s recent tough talk that religious orders should pay compensation to Magdalene survivors is at odds with its stance on the McAleese report, writes Conall Ó Fátharta

A guide for survivors of Magdalene Laundries has been published - to help them understand their entitlements.

A commission of inquiry into State involvement in the Magdalene Laundries should still be established by the Government because the focus of the McAleese report was too narrow, a leading human rights group has claimed.

Kathleen Whelan was one of about a dozen former Magdalene laundry survivors who travelled to Cork’s City Hall to meet the Lord Mayor as he signed a book of apologies for the women.

The UN committee which forced the Government to investigate the Magdalene Laundries has criticised the McAleese report into them as “incomplete” and lacking “many elements of a prompt, independent, and thorough investigation”.

The Adoption Rights Alliance is considering going to the United Nations in order to force the State to grant adopted people the same rights as every other Irish citizen.

The survivors advocacy group, Justice for Magdalenes, has announced the end of its political campaign as its twin objectives of an official state apology and the establishment of a compensation scheme have been achieved.

Almost 500 survivors of Magdalene Laundries have applied to be included in the planned compensation fund.

The Justice for Magdalenes group has lodged a complaint with the UN Committee Against Torture, saying it is concerned that the Government has not complied with the committee's recommendations.

TO celebrate International Women’s Day today, Third Age would like to honour and praise several influential Irish women who have changed our society and lives for the better.

The first of the Magdalene advocacy groups is to meet Mr Justice John Quirke on Tuesday to discuss the redress scheme for survivors of Magdalene Laundries.

Payment of compensation to survivors of the Magdalene Laundries will be made on a ex-gratia basis without establishing any liability on behalf of State bodies.

Up to 200 women contacted the Department of Justice for information on the Magdalene redress scheme in the 24 hours after the Taoiseach made his groundbreaking apology to the women for the State’s role in their hurt.

A memorial to the victims of institutional child abuse is still in the planning process.

Justice for Magdalenes has this evening welcomed the apology by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Conall Ó Fátharta asks if we can expect more than just ‘sorry’

Survivors of the Magdalene laundries have said they expect to be told details of a compensation scheme alongside an anticipated state apology by the Government.

A group of Magdalene laundry survivors have called for a "fast, fair and just" settlement following a meeting with the Taoiseach in London today.

A religious order which listed four Magdalene women as being buried in two different locations has amended the headstone.

An apology for the State’s role in the Magdalene Laundries would be “an enormous step forward”, say victims who believe it would allow the healing process to begin.

The Justice for Magdalenes group is seeking clarifications before it decides if it will attend a meeting with the Taoiseach.

Kathleen Legge has lung cancer. She is 77.

The fallout from the McAleese Report is sure to continue, says Conall Ó Fátharta

A few things that need to be put to bed about the McAleese Report and the Taoiseach’s refusal to issue an apology to the women incarcerated in the Magdalene Laundries.