We must ensure this doesn’t happen again
MAGDALENE survivors have said President Higgins’s words of apology this week are ‘not enough’ to ensure future generations never suffer as they have.
President Higgins, addressing over 220 survivors from across the country, the UK, the USA and Australia at an honorary reception this week, said ‘Ireland had failed’ them and apologised to them.
Many of the women said the event was a healing experience but that more must be done to remove Magdalene-like institutions across the world.
Julia Sweeney, 58, was put in the Donnybrook laundry at age 15 because she ran away from home. She said: ‘It’s alright hearing those words but action speaks louder. Don’t let this happen again… Educating people is so important. Stop developing these institutions in other parts of the world and learn from these mistakes.’
The Galway woman said: ‘It’s hard for me to tell my story today, but I feel more Traveller women like me need to share their stories.’