No state compensation for Magdelene abuse

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.

Justice for Magdalenes met with officials from the Department of Justice yesterday to discuss their ongoing campaign for a state apology and redress for women who were locked in laundries run by the religious orders and used as unpaid workers.

Professor James Smith of the JFM Advisory Committee said department officials admitted to them yesterday that the state accepted there was abuse in these facilities as documented by the Ryan report and other survivor testimonies.