News

New Group Calls for Justice for Magdalenes
Cavan, 20th July, 2004

Former members of the Magdalene Memorial Committee have joined with a group of Magdalene Laundry survivors to form a new group to campaign for justice for women who were incarcerated in Magdalene Laundries.

The group has named itself after its successful internet discussion group, Justice for Magdalenes. Spokesperson for Justice for Magdalenes, Claire McGettrick said: "We feel that the new name more adequately reflects the aim of the group. We also want it to be clear that there are thousands of Magdalene survivors still alive and it is not just a matter of campaigning
for women who have passed on."

One of the Magdalene survivors who is a member of Justice for Magdalenes has been involved in an ongoing Garda investigation facilitated by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. The survivor, who wishes to be known as Kathy, has campaigned alone for many years and has said that she is delighted to be working with a representative organisation.

The members of Justice for Magdalenes are said to be outraged at the recent decision by the Broadcasting Complaints Commission to uphold a complaint made by the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of Refuge at High Park. The complaint was concerning RTE's Liveline programme on October 7 and 8 last year regarding the burial of Ms Margaret Bullen. Claire McGettrick said "It is outrageous that the Sisters have chosen to speak out only about this issue, when are they going to open their doors to a full investigation into their activities concerning the 1993 exhumations?"

The Magdalene Memorial Committee was sponsored last year by Miramax, the distributors of "The Magdalene Sisters" in the US, for a worldwide postcard campaign calling for a public inquiry into the Magdalene Laundries and justice for these women who have been stripped of their freedom, rights and dignity. Thousands of postcards have been sent over the past year to An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern and he has yet to reply to this plea for justice.

Justice for Magdalenes intend to continue the campaign and are calling on the Taoiseach to respond to the call from his electorate. There is an online version of the postcard, which can be accessed here. To obtain hard copies of the postcards contact:

Justice for Magdalenes
Crocknahattina
Bailieborough
Co. Cavan
E-mail: info@magdalenelaundries.com
Telephone: +353 (0)87 9526345

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