Force religious orders to compensate victims

I cannot believe the Government can do nothing about the refusal of religious orders to compensate the victims of the dreadful Magdalene Laundries.

I was delighted when the Taoiseach made the formal apology to these wonderful ladies who suffered so much.

The Government should not roll back on its good work; it should insist the religious orders pay their share.

I have first-hand experience. My brother and I made our First Communion in a fee-paying, private boarding school in Dublin, which was run by ruthless and frustrated nuns who made our life hell, and we were only children.

So, I am in no doubt as to how these women were treated.

The Government should fight their case and force these religious orders to make a financial contribution to the victims, so that we can all move on and leave this shameful history behind us.

Brian McDevitt

Ardconnaill

Glenties

Co Donegal