Prof James M Smith says that the Church either knew what was happening in Tuam and did nothing or that its bishops never fulfilled their pastoral duty under Canon Law

THREE months ago, the Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) published its assessment of abuses in the Magdalene laundries.

I READ with interest your report headlined ‘Year delay before abuse inquiry decides on documents’ (July 5).

THE JUSTICE for Magdalenes group (JFM) has asked the Irish Human Rights Commission to conduct an inquiry into the state’s refusal to acknowledge their role in the laundries.

AN Oireachtas committee has been established to examine the issue of redress for women who were held in Magdalene Laundries.