LONDON — In a significant move towards addressing historical wrongs, efforts commenced in Ireland on Monday to excavate the site of a former institution for unmarried mothers and their children. This project aims to uncover and identify the remains of approximately 800 infants and young children who perished at the location.
Taking place at the erstwhile Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home located in Tuam, County Galway, this excavation marks a critical step in acknowledging and reconciling Ireland’s predominantly Catholic past, particularly concerning abuses within church-controlled facilities.
This home, administered by an order of Catholic nuns, ceased operations in 1961 but was one among numerous establishments that accommodated a significant number of orphans and unwed pregnant women, many of whom were coerced into relinquishing their offspring during much of the 20th century.
Back in 2014, historian Catherine Corless unearthed death certificates for nearly 800 children who passed away at the Tuam home between the 1920s and its closure in 1961. However, she could only locate a burial record for a single child.
Subsequently, investigators uncovered a mass grave, with remains found in an underground sewage chamber on the grounds of the home, revealing the ages of these deceased souls ranged from 35 weeks of gestation up to three years.
A comprehensive examination into these mother-and-baby homes revealed that approximately 9,000 children succumbed in 18 different homes, with primary causes of death including respiratory infections and gastroenteritis, commonly referred to as stomach flu.
In response, the nuns who managed the Tuam facility issued a “profound apology,” admitting their failure in upholding the dignity and inherent rights of the women and children residing there.
“It’s a very, very challenging and distressing narrative and situation. We must wait to observe what the excavation will yield,” stated Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin on Monday.
Leading the exhumation efforts, Daniel MacSweeney announced that survivors and relatives would have the opportunity to witness the process in the upcoming weeks.
“This is an exceptionally intricate and unparalleled excavation,” he remarked, highlighting that the memorial garden on site will be secured under forensic supervision and closed to the general public from Monday onward.
Experts in forensics will conduct thorough analyses and preservation efforts on any remains discovered. Identifiable remains will be returned to family members according to their preferences, while unidentified remains will receive a respectful and dignified burial, officials confirmed.
The entire process is anticipated to take approximately two years to complete.