Study could hold clues about location of infant graves

The Government has been urged to release unpublished archaeological reports about the former Bessborough mother and baby home in Cork amid indications they may offer clues as to potential infant burial locations.

A motion calling on the Government to release the unpublished technical archaeological reports concerning burials at Bessborough was passed unanimously by Cork City Council.

The Attorney General was also asked to open an inquest into deaths at Bessborough “as a matter of moral urgency.”

Councillor Peter Horgan tabled the motion which also called for the unsealing of burial records held with the Commission of Investigation archive.

The Labour official said he was “heartened” that city councillors in Cork had “again stood for those who went through Bessborough.”

Earlier this year, Estuary View Enterprises was granted planning permission by Cork City Council to build 140 apartments on the grounds of Bessborough in Blackrock on the southside of Cork city.

Councillors had no input on the decision.

Appeals were immediately lodged to An Coimisuin Pleanala.

On July 9, the Commission upheld permission for the building of 108 apartments on the site.

This sparked dismay amongst survivors of the home who are vehemently opposed to any such development at a site where they believe there may be undiscovered infant burials.

The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes estimated that 923 babies died at Bessborough between the 1920s and 1990s.

Burial locations for more than 859 children remain unknown.

Bessborough Mother and Baby Home Support Group official, Carmel Cantwell, whose brother William died at the home, previously said the land should be preserved as a “national site of conscience.”

She said: “859 of the children who were born (at Bessborough) have no burial record at all.”

“There has never been an exhaustive investigation to determine where they are buried. We have spoken to witnesses who saw children being buried here.”

“The land itself holds the truth. These buildings, these fields hold stories and secrets and the remains of our family members.”

Bessborough ranked as one of Ireland’s largest mother and baby homes.

It operated from 1922 to 1998.

Over that time, over 9,700 women were admitted.

The Bessborough mother and baby home suffered not only from a frighteningly high infant mortality rate in the 1930s, 40s and 50s but was also the focus of controversial Irish vaccine trials and allegations of arranged adoptions to the US.

Pioneering research by historian Michael Dwyer revealed that 2,051 children drawn from the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary facilities at Bessborough and Sean Ross Abbey in Tipperary were part of secret vaccine trials almost 70 years ago.

Of the more than 900 babies who died at Bessborough or in Cork hospitals having been transferred from the mother and baby home over the course of seven decades, less than 70 have known burial sites.

Campaigners are convinced that the graves of babies remain undiscovered at the site.

They want the entire area preserved for a thorough examination for possible burials before it is considered for some type of special memorial garden and community resource.

Part of the Bessborough site adjoins the Blackrock Greenway which was developed on the old Blackrock railway line.