Digging for Bodies of 800 Babies Begins at Church-Run Irish Home
The dark past of Ireland’s history has been shrouded in secrecy for decades, but recent excavations at a former church-run home for unmarried mothers have brought to light a devastating tale of infanticide and neglect. A team of forensic archaeologists and crime scene experts began digging up the remains of around 800 infants who died at the institution, believed to have been discarded in a former sewage tank between 1925 and 1961.
The discovery is a stark reminder of the country’s troubled past, where unmarried women were often shunned and forced to give birth in secret, away from the prying eyes of society. The babies, born out of wedlock, were subsequently taken away from their mothers and handed over to nuns at the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, County Galway.
The excavation, which began in March, is a painstaking process that requires utmost care and attention to detail. The team, led by Dr. Catherine Corless, a local historian, has been working tirelessly to uncover the remains of the infants, many of whom were believed to have been buried in a mass grave. The site is said to be a former sewage tank, which was used as a makeshift burial ground for the babies.
The Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home was established in 1925 by the Sisters of Bon Secours, an Irish Catholic order, with the aim of providing a safe haven for unmarried women and their babies. However, the institution was shrouded in secrecy, and the true extent of the tragedy only began to surface in recent years.
In 2014, Dr. Corless, who had been researching the home’s history, discovered a record of 796 children who had died at the institution between 1925 and 1961. She also discovered that many of the babies were buried in a mass grave, but the exact location was unknown.
The excavation began in March, and the team has been working diligently to uncover the remains of the infants. The process is slow and laborious, as the team must carefully dig up the site, taking care not to disturb any potential evidence. The site is also said to be contaminated with human remains, which has made the excavation even more challenging.
The discovery is a significant blow to Ireland’s Catholic Church, which has faced numerous scandals in recent years. The Church’s handling of the crisis has been widely criticized, and many have called for greater accountability and transparency.
The excavation is also a testament to the resilience and determination of Dr. Corless, who has dedicated her life to uncovering the truth about the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home. Her tireless efforts have led to the discovery of the mass grave, and she has become a hero to many who have been affected by the tragedy.
The excavation is expected to take several weeks, and the team is working closely with local authorities to ensure that the remains of the infants are treated with dignity and respect. The discovery is a stark reminder of the dark past of Ireland’s history, and it is a testament to the power of determination and perseverance.
