Survivors’ reaction to recommendations mixed
Justice For Magdalenes Research (JFM Research) broadly welcomed the report, saying it satisfied many of the issues and concerns the group had shared with Justice John Quirke.
However, it pointed out that recommendations of both the UN Committee Against Torture (UNCAT) and the Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) to establish a prompt, thorough, and independent investigation had not been implemented.
Sally Mulready, of the Irish Women Survivors’ Network, representing a number of Magdalene survivors in Britain, said she was “very pleased” with what was a “comprehensive and fair” redress scheme.
“I’m very pleased, particularly with the granting of ex gratia pension payments. That’s a clear recognition by the State that these women worked, were not paid and nor were their contributions paid. What we wanted was a fast, fair and just scheme and I think what Justice Quirke has proposed offers the basis for that,” she said.
Bernadette Fahy, who works with and provides support and assistance to a number of Magdalen women, also said she was “very pleased” with Justice Quirke’s recommendations.
“I’m very pleased with it. I think it’s fair. I think the judge listened very carefully. I think he paid attention. I think overall it’s a very good package.”
However, members of the Magdalene Survivors Together group rejected the proposed redress scheme and urged the Government to go back to the drawing board.
The group wants all the women detained to be given a basic payment of €50,000 for the emotional and psychological damage suffered, with compensation for work done on top. It also wants all the money paid in one bulk, instead of an initial lump sum followed by weekly amounts making up the balance.
Maureen Sullivan, the youngest known survivor admitted to one of the laundries, said the proposals did not go far enough towards offering compensation for the work the women carried out.
The four orders which ran the laundries — the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of Refuge, the Sisters of Mercy, the Good Shepherd Sisters, and the Religious Sisters of Charity — welcomed the report and said they were willing to provide records to women who were in the institutions.
