Local woman leads march to raise support for Magdalene sufferers
Stephen O'Riordan, John Rice, Marina Gambold, Maureen O'Sullivan, Christine Buckley, Carmel McDonnell-Byrne, Mary Smith, Angela Dillon and Maureen Taylor in Askea Church grounds before the start of the Forgotten Maggies March of Solidarity.
Tuesday September 29 2009
LOCAL WOMAN Maureen Sullivan from Pollerton headed a march on Sunday which was organised for women who suffered in the Magdalene Laundry Institutions throughout Ireland.
Everyone gathered at Askea Parish church at 2.30 p.m before making their way to the Town Park where doves were released and a Yew tree was planted in memory of the pain and suffering caused.
'We were calling on all people, male and female, to come out in support of these women as they have been silenced by both The Church and The Irish Government,' said organiser Steven O'Riordan.
'It is estimated that over 30, 000 women suffered in these institutions,' he said. 'They had no form of education, no social means and worked as slaves for the nuns over a long period of time.
'The physical, sexual, emotional and psychological damage these women have suffered is unthinkable.'
Maureen, who was separated from her family at just 12 years of age, was sent to live in an industrial school in Roscrea, Co Tipperary almost 40 years ago. It was during the time she spent residing in the industrial school that she had claimed she was sent to work in a Magdalene laundry, instead of getting the primary education promised to her.
On Sunday thirteen doves were released in the Town Park, one for each of the laundries around the country.
