Calls for full apology from government over Magdalene laundries

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny is being called on to make a full apology to the women who were detained in Magdalene laundries, ahead of the publication of a report into the scandal this afternoon.

The report prepared under the chairmanship of Senator Martin McAleese gives details of the state's involvement.

Survivors of the laundries – who have seen the report this morning - want an apology from the government.

Martina Keogh, a survivor of the Gloucester Street Laundry who was interviewed by Dr McAleese's inquiry, says she deserves compensation.

She said of her time in the laundry: “I was put straight into the laundry and it was dreadful. You were given a load of ironing to do and if you didn’t do it properly you were beaten and told you would never see daylight again.”