The Taoiseach broke into tears as he made an historic and emotionally-charged state apology to survivors of the Magdalene laundries.

The women of the Magdalene laundries have been giving their reaction to this evening's

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Former residents of the Magdalene Laundries said they expect to get a full state apology for what happened, following a “teary” three-hour meeting with the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.

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.

Women who worked in Magdalene laundries are to meet the Taoiseach today to further press for a state apology for their treatment.

Mary Smith met Enda Kenny in 2009. He was “practically crying” when he heard her story of being dumped in the Magdalene Laundry in Sunday’s Well, Cork by the “cruelty man”.

Maureen Sullivan is the youngest known survivor admitted to one of the Magdalene Laundries.

Groups representing survivors of the Magdalene laundries have described Enda Kenny's failure to provide them with a formal apology as "shameful".

Survivors of the Magdalene laundries have quickly rejected the Taoiseach's apology, and demanded a fuller and more frank admission from government and the religious orders involved.

“YOU were classed as nothing, you were told you came from nothing and you would always go back to being nothing.”

THE EU and IMF €85 billion bailout agreement could be challenged in court by Sinn Féin, who believe it is unconstitutional to agree to the terms of a deal without a Dáil vote.

ALL IRELAND Primate and Archbishop of Armagh, Cardinal Seán Brady has told a clerical abuse survivors group that the Church is committed to finding a “just solution” to the victims of the Magdalene Laundries.

Rose Martin