Woman Said 800 Babies Were Likely Buried Under a Building — and Excavators Just Made a Horrifying Discovery

Excavation Unearths Remains of 7 Babies in Ireland

Irish officials have confirmed a chilling discovery during an excavation under a building in Tuam, Ireland. The remains of seven infants were recently uncovered in what was once a sewer system at the site of the former Mother and Baby Home. The official report from the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam (ODAIT), disclosed that forensic teams are currently working to determine the age and time of death of the infants, a process which is expected to take several months.

The Tuam property has a dark history, serving as a workhouse from 1841 to 1918, a military barracks from 1918 to 1925, and finally as the infamous Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home from 1925 to 1961. Mother-and-baby homes in Ireland were notorious for their treatment of unmarried pregnant women, often run by Catholic orders. Shockingly, many infants who died there were never formally recorded or individually buried, as reported by the Associated Press.

The recent excavation not only revealed the remains of the seven infants but also uncovered personal items, including a Bovril jar and a razor, adding to the haunting atmosphere of the site. Furthermore, in a separate area, historical skeletal remains consistent with the workhouse era have been discovered, bringing the total count of recovered remains to fourteen. These remains are being carefully handled in collaboration with the National Museum of Ireland.

Local historian Catherine Corless played a crucial role in shedding light on the dark secrets of the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home. Through meticulous research of death certificates and church records, Corless discovered that a staggering 796 children had died at the home, with many of their deaths going unrecorded. Her relentless efforts to bring justice for these forgotten children ultimately led to the current excavation and recovery of their remains.

The excavation at the former Mother and Baby Home has reignited the debate around the treatment of unmarried mothers and their children in Ireland’s history. Catherine Corless, now 71, expressed her relief at the progress being made, stating, “It’s been a fierce battle. When I started this, nobody wanted to listen. At last, we are righting the wrongs.” Corless’s dedication to giving these children a proper burial has been met with both praise and controversy, highlighting the emotional complexities surrounding this tragic chapter of Ireland’s past.

The findings of the excavation have sparked calls for further investigation and accountability regarding the treatment of vulnerable women and children in Ireland’s institutional care system. As the forensic teams continue their work to unearth the truth hidden beneath the grounds of the former Mother and Baby Home, the nation grapples with the unsettling revelations that have come to light. The echoes of the past are ringing loud and clear, demanding justice for the innocents who were failed by a system meant to protect them.