Dublin City Council is attempting to allay the concerns of activists and survivor groups in the wake of an announcement that a former Magdalene Laundry site on the capital's Sean McDermott Street is likely to be sold to Japanese hotel chain Toyoko Inn.
According to thejournal.ie, Dublin councillor Gary Gannon requested confirmation that there will be a memorial for Magdalene survivors on the site, saying that it's "unforgivable" that it appeared to be an "afterthought" in the process.
Dublin City Council depute chief executive Brendan Kenny subsequently stated on RTÉ's Morning Ireland yesterday (18 December), "There will definitely be a memorial for the residents of the Magdalene home…That will be stitched into the development agreement with the developer."
Kenny has previously expressed his belief that the site should be preserved as a centre for commemoration and remembrance rather than being sold for private interest. It's thought that the site could be sold for €14.5 million. A final decision on its sale is expected to be made sometime in the spring of 2018.
