Archaeologist Suspects Shallow Graves at Bessborough

Evening Echo
July 17, 2014

http://www.eveningecho.ie/2014/07/17/bessborough/

Bessborough, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

SHALLOW graves could be present in the grounds of the Bessborough mother and baby home, according to a leading archeologist.

A site examination was carried out yesterday by archeologist Toni Maguire. He found a number of shallow indentations on the avenue between Bessborough grotto and the former Little Angels plot.

A study by the General Registration Office and Department of Health records indicates that up to 1,000 mothers and children may have died at the home.

Meanwhile, survivors of the Mother and Baby homes have appealed to the Minister for Children, James Reilly, to ensure the inquiry into the homes will be far-reaching.

Judge Yvonne Murphy was appointed yesterday to oversee the inquiry by Minister Reilly.

The exact terms of reference for the inquiry have yet to be finalised. This was met with disappointment by Mairi Steed Tatlow, of the Adoption Rights Alliance. Ms Steed Tatlow was born in Bessborough Mother and Baby home and was sent to America for adoption.

She said: “We hope the inquiry is not just going to focus on specific homes, instead of the issues. The issues varied in the different homes so we would hope for a far-reaching inquiry which would look at legal adoptions, illegal adoptions, fostering of children, vaccine trials on children in Mother and Baby homes, and the Protestant Bethany homes.”