Human remains fears raised over Bessborough House sale

By Justine Mccarthy
Times
July 23, 2017

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/human-remains-fears-raised-over-bessborough-house-sale-vbv33jqds

Infants and nuns at Bessborough House, once Ireland’s biggest mother and baby home

Katherine Zappone, the children’s minister, has contacted the Mother and Baby Homes Commission about the sale of Bessborough House in Cork, over concerns about the consequences for human remains buried there.

The Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary are selling the house, which was once Ireland’s biggest mother and baby home. A 2012 report prepared for the McAleese inquiry into Magdalene laundries said a “shocking” number of children died in the institution in the mid-20th century. Bessborough’s records show, on average, 25 children a year died there in 1934-1953. Campaigners want the sale to be stopped.

“I share the concerns about recent reports of the redevelopment of the Bessborough site and its effect on possible burials on the grounds, or access to the burial garden,” said Zappone.

“The commission has been tasked with examining the burial arrangements in respect of Bessborough. It will consider available records and witness testimony. It has all the necessary legal powers to facilitate its investigations,” she added.

“It is for the commission to decide on the necessity for any further investigation it may deem necessary to enable it to establish the facts on these questions.”