Excavators at a former mother-and-baby institution in County Galway have uncovered a further 22 sets of infant remains. This discovery brings the total number of recovered remains to 99. The institution, located in Tuam, operated from 1925 until 1961.
The latest findings were made during an ongoing excavation. These 22 remains were found in coffins within an area identified as a "burial ground" in historical documents. The Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam (ODAIT) is leading the excavation efforts.
This ongoing investigation highlights a dark chapter in Ireland's social history. The institution gained international attention in 2014 when local historian Catherine Corless revealed 796 death certificates for children and babies, but no corresponding burial records. This discrepancy spurred the current excavation and broader inquiries into similar institutions across Ireland.
ODAIT experts will clean, dry, and examine the remains. Their goal is to reconstruct details of the infants' lives and deaths, including age and sex. This process will involve advanced techniques such as radiology and 3D scanning. ODAIT stated that these details could help narrow down possible matching individuals and connect skeletal remains with names. Sixty-two individuals have already provided DNA samples to assist in identification.
The institution was owned by Galway County Council and managed by the Bon Secours Sisters, a religious order. The Bon Secours Sisters have previously acknowledged that children and infants were "buried in a disrespectful and unacceptable way." They have issued an apology and contributed £2.14 million towards the excavation costs. Galway County Council also apologized in 2021 for "failing mothers and children" following an inquiry report.
The excavation began a year ago, with the latest update covering a six-week period until July 15 this year. Full excavation has not yet commenced in a memorial garden area, where investigators found "significant quantities" of remains in underground chambers in 2017. The bodies are being transported to a new mortuary and laboratory in Toghermore, Tuam, specifically fitted out by ODAIT for this purpose.
The excavation is projected to continue until 2027. Follow-up work, including the identification and potential reburial of remains, is expected to last several more years. This extensive timeline underscores the complexity and sensitivity of the investigation. The findings continue to shed light on the historical treatment of vulnerable populations in institutional settings. The ongoing work aims to provide closure and recognition for the victims and their families.