Our own ‘stolen generation’ deserves more

Previously in Australia, former Prime Minister John Howard was dogged by controversy over his refusal to apologise for the Aboriginal community’s “Stolen Generation”.

Prevarication followed and eventually, it was his successor Kevin Rudd who grasped the nettle and did what right-thinking people wanted done.

The victims of Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries could be described as Ireland’s stolen generation ... the harrowing tales as revealed all this week in print and broadcast media highlighted the culture of control that existed here for decades. It is shameful and wrong that the Taoiseach and the Justice Minister (who was lightning fast to close down garda stations and army barracks) refused to make a full apology. Putting it simply, it’s the very least that these women deserve.