Nuns Say There Are No Unmarked Graves at Site of Former Dublin 4 Magdalene Laundry

Irish Independent
March 8, 2017

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/nuns-say-there-are-no-unmarked-graves-at-site-of-former-dublin-4-magdalene-laundry-35512233.html

The Religious Sisters of Charity have said they are not concerned that former residents may be buried in unmarked graves on the site of a former Magdalene Laundry in Dublin 4.

An Gibraltar property firm is due to build an apartment complex on The Crescent in Donnybrook and in a planning application concerns were raised during the archaeological assessment about "the potential for burials in the area".

The assessment reads:

"There are no clear records as to what happened to some of the women who operated within the laundries once they died. It remains a possibility that some are buried within the area of the proposed development."

It also warns that "ground disturbances ... will have an adverse and negative impact on archaeological deposits ...This includes possible burials relating to the former use of the site as a Magdalene Laundry."

A significant archaeological of the site after demolition of the building was reccommended.

However, in a statement to RTE the order said that all who died during the operation of the laundry can be accounted for and that there is a private cemetery on the grounds. All records were checked by the by the McAleese Commission.

Meanwhile, Galway Co Council has moved to clarify that there are no records to suggest human remains were discovered during the construction of a housing estate on the site of the former mother and baby home in Tuam.