PILA Bulletin readers may recall that in June 2011 the UN Committee against Torture (UNCAT) recommended that the Irish State institute “prompt, independent and thorough investigations” into the complaints made about the treatment of residents of the Magdalene Laundries. The State’s response to this recommendation has been termed as “lacking in compassion” by the Justice For Magdalenes group, who are seeking justice for women kept at Magdalene Laundries.
UNCAT made the recommendation as part of its review of Ireland’s implementation of the provisions of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Justice For Magdalenes had made a statement before the Committee calling upon the government to take such actions. Ireland was then given one year before it was to report back on measures taken to implement the recommendations of the Committee.
Its report one year later states that it has advised those who have made complaints about the Magdalene Laundries that, “if they have any evidence of criminal offences having been committed, they should report the matter to the police for criminal investigation and where appropriate prosecution”. It further stated that it was open to these individuals to take a civil action in the court. In response to this Justice For Magdalenes stated that, “the Government’s response is disingenuous in suggesting that the women are primarily focused on prosecutions, when what they have sought is an apology and restorative justice…There are barriers to this type of case that are not addressed, such as the statute of limitations, free legal aid provision, the availability of evidence as the religious orders have withheld records and not least of all the fact that this is a vulnerable and aging population”.
The government’s response also noted that the Magdalene Laundries were “private, religious institutions”, but stated that further actions would be considered when it received the report of the inter-departmental committee examining State involvement in the laundries.