Mother and Baby Home survivors meet Local Government Minister and Council CEO

SURVIVORS of the Tuam Mother and Baby Home met with Local Government Minister Simon Coveney and CEO of Galway County Council Kevin Kelly in Tuam this afternoon.

The private meeting was organised by local historian Catherine Corless and was also attended by Minister for Children Katherine Zappone. Earlier today (Friday) the Ministers visited the Tuam Mother and Baby Home site on Dublin Road where Catherine explained in detail to Minister Coveney what her years of research had found regarding burials on the property – now owned by Galway County Council.

Speaking to The Tuam Herald after he visited the site Minister Coveney said it was real reminder of a very different Ireland. “It's a reminder of a past that we're not very proud of.”

Catherine told Minister Coveney that the confirmation of human remains at the graveyard site didn't go far enough and pointed to the adjoining children's playground, saying that the whole area needed to be examined. She believes that coffins were buried where the playground now stands during the time when the home was run by the Bon Secours order.

“It is very complex but this is something that has to be discussed,” she told the Minister.

Speaking to Minister Coveney Catherine said it wasn't right that the nuns left the area without informing people what was there.

“It's about establishing the truth really, isn't it?” commented Minister Coveney.

Catherine welcomed the Minister's decision to meet with some of the survivors of the home, stressing the importance that their voice is heard. The meeting was also attended by CEO of Galway County Council Kevin Kelly.

“They are very happy you are willing to talk with them,” said Catherine.

She also said more information was needed from the Council's records. “It's important to know if the Council gave the nuns money for burials, where did it go wrong and how did something like this happen?”

Catherine and her husband Aidan showed maps of the former home and the site to Minister Coveney which showed the underground tanks, one of which contains a significant amount of children's and babies' remains.

Speaking to The Tuam Herald the Minister said he had been anxious to meet Catherine and the survivors and listen to what they had to say. He said as Minister with responsibility for local authorities, the focus now is on “honesty and transparency”.

Minister Zappone, who had previously visited Tuam ahead of the excavation, said the Commission's findings “gets us a step closer to the truth”.

The second interim report of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation will be presented to Cabinet on Tuesday. Minister Zappone has seen the report which was produced before the revelations regarding the excavation.

“I think in relation to Tuam specifically, why we're here today, what we will hear and how we take steps in relation to responding to the concerns of the survivors, that will be of equal importance if not more importance in relation specifically to Tuam,” said Minister Zappone.