Taoiseach Makes State Apology For "Flagrant Breach Of Human Rights"

Wednesday, 13 January 2021 14:08

He made the formal apology to survivors of mother and baby homes in the Dáil.

The Taoiseach has made a formal state apology to the victims and survivors of Mother and Baby Homes.

Micheál Martin told the Dáil that basic kindness was not shown to vulnerable women by either church or state.

He described the treatment of these women as a flagrant breach of human rights.

The Taoiseach said an apology is not enough and committed to responding to the recommendations of the Commission on Mother and Baby Homes' report:

The report recommends financial compensation for survivors, similar to past schemes for the residents of industrial schools and orphanages.

Lucy Boyle, from Tormey's Solicitors in Athlone, says the government must be prompt and sensitive in setting up a compensation scheme - and explains what survivors need to do:

The Sisters of Bon Secours say they are willing to contribute to a redress scheme for survivors of Mother and Baby Homes.

It has also apologised for the unacceptable way children were buried at the home it ran in Tuam, Co. Galway.

The Commission of Investigation's final report into 18 Mother and Baby Homes found an appalling level of infant mortality, with 9,000 deaths recorded.

It also recommended redress be provided to survivors - either financial or in the form of enhanced services.

The Sisters of Bon Secours says it will contribute to that.

It ran St Mary’s Mother and Baby Home in Tuam - a site where the remains of hundreds of babies were found in the chamber of a septic tank.

The sisters have said they are deeply sorry for the unacceptable way children were buried there, and said they did not live up to their Christianity when running the Home.

The Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary - which ran homes in Bessborough, Roscrea and Castlepollard have also apologised "to those who did not get the care and support they deserved" from those running the homes.

The Daughters of Charity, meanwhile, says it regrets that it did not do more to ease the suffering of women that were unjustifiably rejected by society,

Yesterday's report found no evidence of abuse at the mother and baby home in Dunboyne, and the Good Shepherd Sisters who ran the facility have complemented their sisters for the dedication and care they provided over 3 decades.

But historian Catherine Corless says that is not what survivors have been looking for: