First step in full excavation of Tuam Mother and Baby home site

Siobhan Holliman

Published: Tue 23 Oct 2018, 5:30 PM

Last updated: Tue 23 Oct 2018, 6:43 PM

CONFIRMATION that the site of the former Mother and Baby Home in Tuam will be fully and forensically excavated has been described as “positive” locally.

Public representatives accept that there will be “a mixed reaction” to the decision from people living in the area but it’s hoped that the move will help bring closure for those who were resident in the home and who may have relatives buried on the site on the Dublin Road.
The excavation work will be carried out on a phased basis and will initially focus on the remains known to be within a series of chambers that were discovered during an excavation by the Commission of Investigation.
Further tests will be carried out as necessary elsewhere on the site, but this won’t include areas where houses and gardens have been built.
A full excavation of the site and exhumation of the remains is what researcher Catherine Corless and those she has campaigned for and supported have always called for.
Minister for Children Katherine Zappone accepted that what is to be embarked upon has never been done before and will face legal difficulties.

In July Minister Zappone came to Tuam to have another chance to hear the views of people in relation to the possible options for the future of the site.
At that time the Minister accepted that “No matter what decision is arrived at it will not please everyone.”