The Minister for Children, Katherine Zappone, has appointed a team of experts to investigate a mass burial site at the former mother and baby home in Tuam, Co. Galway.
Tuam historian Catherine Corless says she is “very pleased”, and called the announcement “a step forward”. Ms Corless carried out the research which first uncovered evidence of the unmarked mass grave.
There was widespread outrage throughout the country when human remains were found in a sewage container on the site, back in March. The remains are believed to be those of children and babies who died in the home. It’s believed up to 700 children are buried at the site.
The team will comprise of an Irish-based forensic archaeologist, a US-based forensic anthropologist, and a UK-based forensic scientist who will investigate the site, according to The Journal.
The team will be led by Dr Niamh McCullagh, who was involved in the preliminary examinations of the burial chamber at the Tuam site.
Corless hopes the remains of all the children can be found, and that they can be given a proper burial.
She said: “She [McCullagh] will know if it is possible to excavate and if a scan can be done on the whole area. I have always said, ‘find them all’.
“There is no point just looking at the ones they have found. I am very adamant that there are more remains in the playground area (located next to the site).”
Minister Zappone said it may be possible to identify some of the remains.
“It has taken some time to come to the point where we have identified a group of experts who can actually tell us what are the things we need to do, in terms of managing the site in Tuam, as well as whether we can identify the remains, and if there are any further remains.
"This is hugely technical work. We needed to find the best people for the job,” she explained.
Minister Zappone has also asked DCU legal expert James Gallen to draft a strategy that will “seek recognition for the experiences of former residents, promote civic trust and serve to re-assert the fundamental value of the rule of law in our democracy".
She also vowed to provide regular updates on the team’s progress on her Department’s website, on the last Friday of every month.
Welcoming the news, Corless said: “The Minister has done all she possibly can, she hasn’t dilly-dallied. But today is about Tuam.”
