Woman sues over alleged forced adoption in 1969

A 68-year-old woman is suing two religious orders and the HSE over the alleged forced adoption of her four-month-old baby over 40 years ago.

She says she was raped aged 21 in 1968, near Howth in Dublin, became pregnant, and was sent for pre- and post-natal care to St Patrick’s Mother and Baby home on the Navan Road, Dublin, before giving birth in March 1969, the High Court heard yesterday.

At that time, she had been living and working in the Magdalene Laundry in Drumcondra, Dublin, having already spent most of her life in care.