The God Squad

Shatter considers Bethany Home investigation

Minister for Justice & Equality Alan Shatter has said he is considering very carefully demands for an investigation of the former Protestant-run Bethany Home.

Former residents have accused the Government of discriminating against them on religious grounds by excluding them from the remit of its investigation of the Catholic-run Magdalene Laundries.
Mr Shatter gave his assurance to William Irwin, a Co Armagh-based member of the Northern Assembly.
However, he told him there are no plans at present to expand the brief of the Government-appointed McAleese Committee to include the Bethany mother-and-baby home where, despite State inspections, a number of unreported deaths occurred before and during WWII.

The McAleese Committee is investigating the State’s involvement in the Magdalene Laundries.
Mr Irwin had written to Mr Shatter echoing calls by Minister Arlene Foster from the Northern Executive for the former Dublin-based home to be included in the committee’s remit.
The two dozen or so former residents are confident such a move would lead to the State compensating them for neglect.

Mr Shatter assured Mr Irwin that he is carefully considering the appropriateness and practicality of addressing the issues surrounding the home in a satisfactory manner.
The Minister has already rejected suggestions that the State’s current position is motivated by religious discrimination.