Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

368. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality whether she or her Department believe there will be any prosecutions made following the McAleese report on the Magdalen laundries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26042/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The investigation and prosecution of criminal offences are matters for the Gardaí and Director of Public Prosecutions. An Garda Síochána, of course, investigate any complaint of criminal activity made to them.

It may be helpful to the Deputy to indicate that while not specifically part of the terms of reference of the McAleese Committee, the Committee did take the opportunity to record evidence and testimony that might throw light on allegations of systematic abuse. In this context 118 women who had been in these institutions agreed to complete a questionnaire on conditions (food, punishment etc.) in these institutions and/or to meet with and discuss these issues with the independent Chair. No factual evidence to support allegations of systematic torture or ill treatment of a criminal nature in these institutions was found. The majority of women did report verbal abuse but not of a nature that would constitute a criminal offence.

One woman did report an incident (not in a Magdalen institution) to the Chairperson of the Committee which if proven would constitute a serious criminal offence. In response to this, arrangements were made for the Gardaí to meet with this woman to discuss the matter but she did not wish to make a formal complaint and have the incident subject to a criminal investigation.

In a separate case, after the McAleese Committee had finished its work, a solicitor in the course of correspondence with my Department referred to an incident in a Magdalen institution, which if proven, would constitute a serious criminal offence. My Department notified the Gardaí of the alleged incident and advised the solicitor and her client to report the matter to the Gardaí for criminal investigation. However, I have no indication that the woman in question did make such a report.