Expectant women were sent to the Bon Secours ‘mother and baby home’ in Galway between 1925 and 1961.
Their illegitimate children were said to be ‘children of sin’, and as such treated with a lack of respect in death, according to the work of historians.
Catherine Corless, whose work uncovered what allegedly happened at the home, said many babies are believed to have been dumped in a former sewage tank referred to as ‘the pit’.
Her research revealed how 798 children perished at the home before it was closed in the early 1960s – but only two of them were given a decent burial.
The other 796 are thought to have been buried at the site, and it is this forensic operation that is intended to uncover this.
The work is anticipated to continue for about two years, during which time the site will be closed off and shut to the public for forensic control.
Daniel MacSweeney, who leads the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam (ODAIT), said families with relatives who were in the institution were informed of the timeline of work.
He said they will have an opportunity to view the site works as part of a family and survivors’ day in the coming weeks.
Mr MacSweeney said: ‘From the start of works on June 16, the entire site, including the memorial garden, will be accessible only to staff carrying out the works and 24-hour security monitoring will be in place.
‘The initial four weeks will involve setting up the site, including the installation of 2.4-metre hoarding around the perimeter.
‘These measures are necessary to ensure the site’s forensic integrity and to enable us to carry out the works to the highest international standards that govern the excavation and recovery programme.
‘This is a unique and incredibly complex excavation.’
Catholicism has much to answer for and what they did was brutal, and these were people who were monsters in fancy dress.
Unfortunately, the church had such control over society at the time, let alone the doctors, but families were also responsible because they thought that it would bring disgrace to their families.
These poor girls already had to go through enough physically and mentally, being forced to go into a place like that. They were treated with utter disrespect in the midst of having their babies taken away from them. It’s just sickening how wicked nuns were back then.
There were other homes like this one. They took in unmarried teen mothers who would have their babies there believing that they were going to be adopted – some were of course adopted by wealthy Americans and some died and were buried in pits.
I am so happy that this is being done, although those who were in charge have long departed this earth. There needs to be closure because these girls who went to these places were scared, emotional young women who needed help and never got it. Instead, they were forced to work hard in kitchens and laundry rooms all hours of the day, and the nuns that forced them to do this were not God-fearing nuns they were just evil through and through.
These people (nuns) whatever you wish to call them (and priests as well) just glided themselves into these positions which gave them access to the young and vulnerable. As for the Vatican, they’re merely symbols of idol worshipping who own their own bank, and I dread to think what goes on there!
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 