Press statement – CHANGE from previous due to change in statement form Dept of Justice – immediate
Bethany Residents disappointed at cabinet failure to resolve denial of redress for former Bethany and Magdalene residents
Former residents of the Bethany Home Dublin are disappointed to hear that the Cabinet today failed to discuss the problem of those excluded from the Redress Scheme for victims of institutional abuse. These victims include former residents of Magdalene laundries and of the Bethany Home in Dublin.
A further denial of state responsibility so close to a damming report from the UN Committee Against Torture would have been embarrassing for the government and would anger increasing numbers of Irish people.
Possibly, the failure to discuss the issue today may mean that the government realises that ‘No’ or ‘deny till they die’ is no longer sustainable as a response. If it means the government is instead moving toward a solution to this problem that grants justice to the victims we would welcome that. We are happy to discuss with ministers a means of resolving this issue and suggest that these discussions begin now and end very soon.
Former residents of the Bethany Home and of Magdalene laundries have waited too long for an apology. Justice demands that it be issued now and that former residents become eligible for redress.
Derek Leinster
Chairperson, Bethany Survivors Group.
00 44 1 788 817311
42 Southey Road Rugby CV22 6HF
Warwickshire England
derek.linster@talktalk.net
