There was a mistaken public perception that women
referred to the Magdalene laundries were mainly lone parents, Minister
of State for Equality Aodhán Ó Ríordáin told the Seanad. “This perception does not reflect the reality in most cases,’’ he said. He said the McAleese report found placements of girls or women in the laundries were made for a very wide range of reasons.
“It is hard to credit nowadays that
some cases of referrals were seen as a means of providing for girls or
women with physical disabilities, or with mental or psychiatric
illness,’’ Mr Ó Ríordáin added. “Some had intellectual disabilities and special needs, while others were referred because of advanced age.’’