Department of Justice backs Magdalene women’s gathering

The Department of Justice has lent its full support to a voluntary group organising a two-day gathering of Magdalene women this summer.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan announced that his Department had issued invitations to the event to its database of roughly 700 Magdalene women and is also providing financial support.

The announcement followed the minister’s meeting with organisers Norah Casey, Dr Katherine O’Donnell and Claire McGetterick.

Facilitating a gathering of women who had spent time in Magdalene laundries was one of the recommendations of the Quirke Report.

Mr Flanagan (pictured) said: “This event in June will be really special – it’s an opportunity for the Magdalene women to get together.

“It’s being organised by volunteers but I am delighted to provide financial and practical support. Today we issued invitations to our database of Magdalene women.

“I know the organisers are planning a very warm and dignified gathering and I think it’s going to be a celebration of true resilience.

“So I am looking forward to it and I would simply urge any woman who spent any time in a laundry, who gets an invitation – to come.

“As I said, I believe it will be a fitting tribute to their strength and it is also part of what both I and this government have committed to doing - honouring the commitments given to the Magdalene women by former Taoiseach Enda Kenny.”