Flanagan apologises to Magdalen women over redress shortcomings

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has apologised to women who worked in Magdalen laundries over shortcomings in the redress scheme set up by his Department.

The minister addressed the Dublin Honours Magdalenes Gala dinner in the Mansion House yesterday evening, which was attended by more than 220 women who spent time in Magdalen laundries.

Mr Flanagan (pictured) told guests that the women “had to wait far too long for acknowledgement, recognition and an official apology”.

He said: “I am proud that Enda Kenny was the Taoiseach who finally made that State apology and, following the Ombudsman’s report, I need to add my own.

“My Department worked hard to administer the redress scheme but we didn’t always get it right and I am sorry for that. I apologise to you.”

Referring to last week’s announcement, he added: “I have been working with the Ombudsman for some time and I am very glad that just last week, Cabinet agreed to admit the women who worked in laundries while living in an adjoining institution, into the scheme. I wish we had done it sooner, and I hope and indeed intend that the other issues highlighted by the Ombudsman will be sorted very soon.

“An experienced senior counsel is working hard on behalf of Government to resolve complex difficulties and I expect real progress soon.”