Tuam home story leads to nationwide investigation

LOCAL research into the deaths and unmarked burial sites of 796 infants and children at the former Tuam Mother’s and Babies’ Home has resulted in a statutory Commission of Investigation into mother and baby homes across the State.
Minister for Children Charlie Flanagan who previously described the situation in Tuam as “almost too graphic and horrible to believe” said that an initial report will be come from the cross-departmental investigation by the end of the month. This will aid the terms of reference and make-up of the Commission of Investigation.
It’s anticipated that the inquiry will examine all issues at the Tuam home and similar homes around the country. The Tuam home, which was run by the Bon Secours Sisters from 1925 to 1961, has been the focus of worldwide media coverage in recent weeks based on research carried out last year by local woman Catherine Corless and the work of the Tuam Children’s Home Graveyard Committee, who have welcomed the announcement.
Meanwhile a Galway East TD has called for the erection of any memorial plaque at the site to be postponed until there has been a “full examination of the facts and the establishment of the truth”.
Fianna Fáil Deputy Colm Keaveney, while commending the work of the Children’s Home Graveyard Committee campaigning for a plaque to be put in place featuring the names of the babies, says a plaque at this stage would be “premature in light of the ground work that still has to take place.

 

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