Group formed to expose slavery in Ireland

national | crime and justice | news report Wednesday July 21, 2004 15:46 by Cliona Towne

Justice for Magdalenes

A group has been formed to force the Irish State and the Catholic church to accept responsibility for the enslavement of 40,000 Irish women during the last century. The women were incarcerated and forced to work as slaves in the infamous Magdalene laundaries. They were physically and psychologically abused. Many died in mysterious circumstances. Some may have been murdered. They are buried in unmarked graves. This atrocity was committed by the Catholic Church aided and abetted by the Irish state. Before reparations can be made it is necessary that these two institutions be made acknowledge the enormity of the crime committed against these women. Unless the isssue of slavery in Ireland is acknowledged by the perpetrators and reparations made to the victims Irish concern about human rights abuses elsewhere cannot be taken seriously. The group is called Justice for Magdalenes and is led by Claire McGettrick.