Magdalene move welcomed

Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has welcomed the willingness of four religious congregations that ran 10 Magdalene homes to co-operate with any inquiry which may take place.

A statement issued yesterday by the Conference of Religious in Ireland (Cori) said the Sisters of Mercy, the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity, the Sisters of Charity at Donnybrook and the Good Shepherd Sisters would co-operate with future inquiries. All four congregations are members of the Conference of Religious of Ireland.

The move came only days after the UN Committee Against Torture recommended the State should institute an  independent investigation into all allegations "of torture, and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment" that were allegedly committed in the Magdalene Laundries.

Minister Shatter said the willingness of the congregations to bring greater clarity, healing and justice to all the women involved was "an important step forward."

The laundries were operated by the Sisters of Mercy at Galway and Dún Laoghaire; the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity at Drumcondra and Seán MacDermott Street in Dublin, the Sisters of Charity at Donnybrook in Dublin and Cork, and the Good Shepherd Sisters, in Limerick, Cork, Waterford and New Ross. All four congregations are members of the Conference of Religious of Ireland.

Minister Shatter said yesterday’s statement along with all of the other information available and reports published to date will be considered by the Government when it is discussed in Cabinet.