Women politicians urged to support Magdalene bid

EVERY woman TD, senator and local councillor received a letter today urging them to support the ongoing campaign to seek justice for survivors of the Magdalene laundries.

The United Nations Commission Against Torture (UNCAT) is also expected to make a ruling on the matter today after it heard the Magdalenes’ case at a session in Geneva last week.

Thousands of Irish women were sent to the laundries, some because they were pregnant outside marriage and others because they were considered uncontrollable. Some women remained there for up to 30 years, where they were treated as unpaid labour. None have ever been compensated or received an apology from the religious orders or from the state for their enforced labour .