Justice for Magdalenes helps organise survivor meeting with Senator McAleese
Justice for Magdalenes (JFM), the survivor advocacy group is pleased
to confirm that a group of Magdalene survivors in contact with the
organisation met today with Senator Martin McAleese, Independent
Chairperson of the Inter-departmental Committee to “clarify state
interaction with the Magdalene Laundries”. JFM says that the meeting
was a deliberately private event, in accordance with the wishes of the
women and consistent with the organisation’s ethos to put the dignity
and privacy of survivors first.
Katherine O’Donnell, Director of Women’s Studies at UCD’s School of
Social Justice/JFM Advisory Committee said: “As the Magdalene
Laundries system served to disempower and silence women, it is vital
that survivors actively participate in the Inter-departmental
Committee process. Apart from the vast level of valuable knowledge
that survivors possess, it is also essential that those most affected
are offered a voice at the table.”
Women travelled to Dublin from all over Ireland for today’s meeting.
The survivors participating included daughters of two women
incarcerated in Magdalene Laundries and now deceased. Both women said
they wished to give their mothers a voice as well as highlighting the
generational impact on families of the Magdalene Laundry system and
the importance of end of life issues.
Last week JFM submitted its first tranche of testimonies amounting to
519 pages which included contributions from a number of the survivors
meeting with Senator McAleese today. JFM says that the women’s
testimony was collected with their full and informed consent, under
ethical approval from UCD’s College of Human Sciences in accordance
with the highest human-subject research standards.
Claire McGettrick, JFM PRO said: “In the testimonies already
gathered, all survivors told us that they could not leave the
laundries, that the doors were locked and the windows inaccessible.
If they did try to leave they were returned by the Gardaí, while
others decided not to try to escape because they knew the same fate
awaited them. They all told us they could not complain, in most
cases they remarked that there was nobody to complain to; while others
begged to leave, often on a daily basis, but all were refused. Every
single survivor confirmed that they were never paid, that no
inspections were ever carried out and that no government official ever
came to check on them.”
James M. Smith (Boston College and JFM Advisory Committee) said: “JFM
welcomes the input of survivors into the Interdepartmental Committee
investigation and while JFM will continue to cooperate with that
process, we assert that there is ample evidence of state involvement
with the Magdalene Laundries to warrant an immediate apology, pensions
and restoring lost wages to this group of aging and elderly women.
They need help now while still alive to benefit from it.”
JFM thanks Senator McAleese for agreeing to meet the women today, and
thanks him once again for the time, respect and consideration he
accorded them.
PLEASE NOTE: JFM did not issue an advance press release in keeping
with our ethos to protect the dignity and privacy of survivors, so
that they can choose when and how they wish to make their experiences
known more publically.
[ENDS]
Dear Paddy and Ann
I have to congratulate both of you for your bravery and honesty in your documentry flesh and blood. It is so sad about your poor mum not knowing were she is buried. The Irish people back then loved to slander and gossip.But when it came to innocent children and women they all turned a blind eye. Stupid evil people that all I can say. paddy sorry you suffered so much .
Hi Gerry.
Thanks for your support the Magdalena women will never be forgotten in my heart.Dont you worry the truth will be told without the support of the groups.For years I have stood alone yes I have been used one particular person who is making money on the women’s pain he has even released a charity single is selling a video for twenty euro that money should be given to the Magdalene women that cant afford heating and rent. The money from the charity single is for a monument in Dublin of all Magdalene women that were in the laundries I certainly don’t want my mum and sisters name on it, it a insult to all these women that are dead. These organisations are all in it for fame and fortune. They are securing jobs for themselves but they never tell the real truth. The really Magdalene laundries were in the 1920 to 1970 after that they had it easy. I know that from my mum.These so called Magdalene groups are a bunch of liars and cheats.
Dear Mary, Please keep well away from those Groups ,you don’t need them ,they knew of your plight in trying to get justice years ago and Did NOTHING to help you then.they are only interested in their funding. Good Luck ,you can do it .we are all on your side and stand right beside you.
Calling on all activists and survivors to protest at the 50th Eucharistic at the RDS on Sunday 10th June 2012 at 12:30. All are welcome to attend whether as individuals or groups.
It will continue there for the week until Sunday 17th June 2012 where a final mass will be said in Croake Park – 13:00 till 17.15.
Time table for events for the Congress http://www.iec2012.ie/index.jsp?p=141&n=151
Dublin Bus Info from city center to RDS http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/Route-Planner/Route-Planner/
Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/groups/152861764838587/
Well the truth has not been told .As I said the evidence has been around for years these groups know that. But try to make out there has never been records only the records they came across. The eyes of a child can tell you how these laundries worked but no one is interested in that.Paddy if it wasn’t for you my mums story would never be told truthfully. The Magdalene graveyards were my mum lies should be looked after like the war grave.Groups want to set up a museum to teach children about the Magdalene laundries don’t you think there are enough films that can be shown to the children . That is abuse again for children that visited the laundries. The Irish government should make sure these women get everything there entitled too you don’t need groups are solicitors the government should deal directly with the women that have records and were put to work in the laundries by the state. These women and there families need privacy and respect.It will be come like the industrial schools everyone receiving money except the survivors.
w
Thanks paddy for the information. its good to know that at long last attention is being paid to these ladies.Thay wont have to accept invisable help like us i hope thay get what thay need to live in decency.and of course its best to keep things between them all.So that thay all get the same treatment and not just one or two of them talking.