An academic who had access to one diocesan archive reports accounts of physical abuse and medical neglect and argues that the files are not accurately reflected in the McAleese Report into the Laundries, writes Conall Ó Fátharta.

As David — and we’re not just talking about Clifford — v Goliath contests go, it’s hard to beat the meeting of Cavan and Kerry in tomorrow’s All-Ireland MFC semi-final.

Britain’s economy is likely to lose momentum in the second half of 2017, according to a closely watched survey that could disappoint some Bank of England officials who want to raise interest rates for the first time in a decade.

Confidence among UK services firms slid to a three-year low last month as the risk of Britain exiting the European Union weighed on executives’ minds.

The Ballylickey botanist; the Skibbereen astronomer; the Cloyne caterpillar collector, Madame Dragonfly. Robert Hume highlights the lives and achievements of three female scientists from Co Cork, and the obstacles they faced to achieve recognition of their work

Four social justice organisations are now calling for the inquiry into mother-and-baby homes to be widened to include Magdalene laundries and county homes.

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

NOW we know the State’s share of the blame for the slavery of our women in the Magdalene laundries.

The McAleese report into the Magdalene Laundries does admit that the State was complicit in sending women to and keeping them at the laundries, but it clearly plays down the harsh, brutal regime that survivors have long reported ruled there.

Survivors of Catholic-run workhouses in Ireland are awaiting an apology from state and church over their forced detention in the institutions.

What struck the men from Crosserlough GAA club last Thursday was how close everything in Lordship was.

Justice for Magdalenes (JFM) has hit out at Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s refusal to confirm when he will publish a report probing state involvement with the institutions.

The State’s involvement in the de-facto imprisonment of women at the infamous Magdalene laundries can only be resolved if an immediate apology, pensions and “lost” wages are given to those affected.

Close to 40 new cases have been uncovered of women as young as 14 years old having been committed to Magdalene laundries by the State.

CONCERNS have been raised about the apparent lack of urgency around the Magdalene Laundries investigation announced by the Government last month.

CONCERNS have been raised that the terms of reference for the inter-departmental committee to investigate state interaction with the Magdalene Laundries have yet to be made public.

THE academic leading the Justice for Magdalene group said he believed an apology from the Government was imminent and that statutory pensions should then be provided to “hundreds” of survivors.

UP to eight Government departments will be examined as part of an inquiry into the Magdalene Laundries, according to a group representing survivors who met Justice Minister Alan Shatter yesterday.

A group representing survivors of the Magdalene laundries has presented a report to the Government alleging widespread state involvement with the notorious workhouses.

THREE garda staff associations have said the behaviour of three gardaí under investigation for allegedly making jokes about raping women was not indicative of the attitude of the force.

THE Government has asked the Attorney General to examine a groundbreaking report by the state’s human rights watchdog which calls for a statutory enquiry into the Magdalene Laundries.

The Government must launch an official inquiry into the treatment of women and girls detained in so-called Magdalene Laundries, it was ruled today.

OLDER Americans suffer more chronic disease than their English counterparts, but the English die earlier, according to a study.

THE Justice for Magdalenes (JFM) advocacy group has said it is “greatly concerned” that CORI (The Conference of Religious of Ireland) has refused to meet and discuss the group’s campaign for an apology and a redress scheme for survivors of the Magdalene laundries.

THE Justice For Magdalenes (JFM) advocacy group has accused the Government of refusing to apologise to the women who were kept in Magdalene Laundries as they know most of the women are very elderly and too ashamed about their past to campaign for justice.

Ballyhale Shamrocks, the All-Ireland club hurling champions and five in-a-row championship chasers in Kilkenny, got a sharp reminder of how difficult life will be without Henry Shefflin when they crashed to defeat against great rivals James Stephens in the SHL final.

GALWAY City Council has moved to allay the fears of Magdalene survivors by quashing suggestions that a memorial statue will be relocated due to a new bus lane being put in place.

THE GROUP campaigning for justice for women housed in Magdalene Laundries has been told the state accepts abuse took place in these facilities, but it won’t admit any liability that could make it duty bound to pay compensation.

A GROUP representing survivors of the Magdalene Laundries will meet with the Health Minister Mary Harney today to discuss her department’s historic role in the laundries.

JIM GANNON’S Stockport made it fifth-time lucky at Wembley but were made to sweat in their Coca-Cola League Two play-off final win over local rivals Rochdale.

Atletico Madrid 2 Aberdeen 0

AN AMERICAN woman who weighs less than three stone has beaten odds of a million to one to give birth to a healthy baby boy.

A California woman has given birth to quadruplets in what doctors described as a one-in-a-million event - because she did not use fertility drugs and two babies are identical.

US companies, which have been reluctant to part with their mountain of cash, may start spending more of it - and spur the economy in the process.

Rap-rocker Kid Rock was arrested in Nashville, Tennessee yesterday morning on assault charges.

Rapper Kid Rock was arrested by Nashville police today and charged with punching a strip club disc jockey.

Four boys leaving a charity basketball game were shot as gunmen opened fire outside their Maryland high school.

Survivors of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda gathered on a hillside today to bury the remains of hundreds of victims recovered from mass graves to mark the 10th anniversary of the government-orchestrated slaughter that left more than 500,000 people dead.

An Ohio woman who faked her daughter’s leukaemia to rake in thousands in donations said she concocted the scheme to keep her husband from leaving.

Computer giant Microsoft has been forced to apologise after swastika symbols were found on new copies of a popular software package.

ALLEGED Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt recruited an ex-French Foreign Legion weapons expert as a sleeper agent, to be used if a plot was hatched to murder Prime Minister Tony Blair, it has been claimed.

Alleged Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt wanted his planned new terror organisation’s first strike to be bigger than the Omagh bomb atrocity, a court heard today.