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The Tragic Discovery of Children's Remains in Ireland's Mother and Baby Home

For over 35 years, it is estimated that a child died every two weeks in a Catholic mother and baby home in the West of Ireland. Recently, the remains of nearly 800 children were discovered in a series of underground chambers, sending shockwaves throughout the country. The home, run by nuns, was part of a network of institutions that housed unwed pregnant women and their children. The discovery has reopened wounds and sparked debates about the treatment of women and children in Ireland's not-so-distant past.

A History of Mistreatment

The Catholic Church-run Magdalene laundries were notorious for their mistreatment of women and girls, treating them as virtual slaves. These laundries, where many women were sent for being pregnant out of wedlock, remained open up until the 1980s. The Irish government officially apologized for the treatment of ten thousand women and girls in these institutions. The mother and baby home in Tuam, where the remains were found, was one such institution.

The Unsettling Discovery

The discovery of the remains came as a shock, despite suspicions and reports of children's burials in the area. The underground chambers contained the remains of children believed to have died from natural causes or malnutrition. It is a haunting reminder of the difficult lives these children had and the challenges faced by their mothers.

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A Long Wait for Closure

Now, the Irish government faces the difficult decision of what to do with the children's remains. The options under consideration are either leaving them where they are or providing them with a proper burial. This decision is set to be revealed in February 2019, leaving survivors of the home anxiously waiting for closure.

A Painful Past

Survivors of the Tuam mother and baby home, such as Patrick Joseph and Walter, recount their painful experiences. They describe being locked in a building, deprived of love and toys, and forced to endure a harsh and lonely existence. These survivors point fingers at the Catholic Church and the Irish state, blaming them for making their lives hell.

A Whistleblower's Investigation

One woman, Catherine Corless, has dedicated years of research to uncovering the truth about the home. She discovered that nearly 800 children were buried in unmarked graves after analyzing death certificates, archives, and maps. She believes that the Church and the government collaborated to hide the truth about what happened at the home.

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A Wall of Silence

The survivors, including Patrick Joseph, demand justice and the release of their records. However, they face a wall of silence. The government has been slow to act, and the Bon Secours sisters, who ran the home, have refused to give interviews. Despite the media frenzy and public pressure, authorities have yet to make significant progress in shedding light on the atrocities that occurred in the home.

Hoping for Closure and Accountability

The survivors and advocates continue their fight for justice. They hope that the commission of investigation will finally reveal the truth and hold those responsible accountable. For now, they want the children to be given a proper burial and for their stories to be acknowledged.

While this dark chapter in Ireland's history may be painful to confront, it is essential to remember and learn from the mistakes of the past. The Tuam mother and baby home serves as a stark reminder of the mistreatment suffered by unwed mothers and their children in Ireland. It is a poignant story that sheds light on the need for compassion and empathy in our society.

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