Inquiry into Tuam deaths to be broadened

The terms of a state inquiry into mother and baby homes for unmarried mothers, mostly run by religious orders, may be expanded following revelations that a “significant” quantity of infants’ remains were found at the site of the former Bon Secours home in Tuam.

An investigation of the site in County Galway was undertaken after historian Catherine Corless published research in 2014 showing that 796 children died at the home between 1925 and 1961 when it closed, but there was no indication of where the infants were buried.

The remains were found in two structures believed to be part of the sewage system at the former home and relate to infants aged from about 35 foetal weeks up to two or three years. The revelation has been greeted with widespread revulsion by politicians and the public as well as the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary.

The UN’s Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) has said the scope of the investigation may not address the whole spectrum of abuses.

The commission of inquiry, chaired by retired judge Yvonne Murphy, was set up in February 2015 to investigate 14 mother and baby homes, as well as four County Homes that operated between 1922 and 1998, looking at living conditions, infant mortality, burial arrangements, vaccine trials and illegal adoption.

The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, described the confirmation of the burial of human remains at the site as “truly appalling” and said the babies of single mothers had been treated like “some kind of sub-species”. The Bon Secours Sisters issued a statement saying the congregation was “fully committed” to the work of the commission.

The order said that on the closing of the home in 1961, all the records were returned to Galway County Council, which is the owner and occupier of the lands of the home. “We can therefore make no comment … other than to confirm our continued cooperation with, and support for, the work of the commission.” Archbishop Neary said he was “horrified and saddened” by the commission’s finding and pledged to obtain “a dignified re-interment” for the remains of the children in consecrated ground.