We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
CHILDREN’S MINISTER KATHERINE Zappone has confirmed that there will be a full forensic examination of the site of the mother and baby home in Tuam, Galway.
At a press conference today, Zappone said that a phased approach will be adopted which includes a forensic excavation and recovery of juvenile remains as well as the use of technology to locate potential burials.
“Our approach is reasonable and it is rooted in profound empathy,” the minister said today.
On-site testing will be used at Tuam to identify possible burials and arrangements will be made for respectful reburials and memorialisation, the minister said.
A process of individualisation and identification of infant remains will be undertaken – where possible.
"Lost children - lost sisters and lost brothers", Minister Zappone says that what happened at Tuam was part of a wider pattern.
— Cónal Thomas (@ConalThomas) October 23, 2018
‘Very relieved’
Last year, a report identified five possible options for how the Tuam site should be handled.
In March 2017, the Commission into mother and baby homes confirmed that a “significant” number of human remains were discovered at the site of the former church-run home for unwed mothers. Scientific analysis put the age of death between 35 foetal weeks and two to three years.
Experts have previously said that the excavation of the site will be extremely complex, and that identification of the remains would be difficult, primarily because they would have “comingled”.
Between 1925 and 1960, 796 children died at the Tuam mother and baby home.
The work of Catherine Corless, an amateur historian, led to the discovery. In October, Corless was awarded the Bar of Ireland’s Human Rights Award for her work regarding the Tuam site.
Speaking to RTÉ News this afternoon, Corless said she was “very, very relieved” at today’s decision and “very happy for the survivors”.
Corless welcomed the fact that forensic and DNA testing will be used to identify remains and determine possible causes of death.
It’s everything that we had been campaigning for.
In a statement this afternoon, the Tuam Babies Family Group welcomed today’s decision to fully excavate the site.
This is an exceptionally important decision and will pave the way for all the other mother and baby homes, and the lost children of Ireland.
We hope this decision will bring peace to the families of these children.
‘Voluntary contribution’
The cost of the forensic investigation at the Tuam site is estimated at between €6 million and €13 million.
The Bon Secours Sisters, who ran the mother and baby home, have offered the Government a €2.5 million voluntary contribution towards the investigation. This is not a settlement and “not an indemnity”, Minister Zappone said today.
Due to the “unprecedented” nature of the site, “bespoke legislation” is required before proceeding with excavation.
A cross-departmental group, tasked with drafting legislation, will meet within the next fortnight, the minister said.
The impact on individuals and families has been devastating. We owe it to the strenghth and the passion and the courage of those who’ve spoken up, those who broke the silence, to act now.
With reporting by Cónal Thomas
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
I though the dole covered that for them..
@Big bad bull: ……. Big clear out of FF, FG and Green TDs on the way. SF will get a chance to clear the swamp. If they dont do it welk then next gen TDs will get a chance. We’ve tolerated self enriching spoofers for too long.
@Big bad bull: I hope you’re doing OK…..for a selfish prig.
@Big bad bull: I scrolled down to the comments to say exactly what you said. And the swines think long and hard about paying student nurses, who actually do something.
@Big bad bull: sad comment…
@Big bad bull: if anyone can draw the dole artists can.
@Big bad bull: it doesn’t
I had almost forgotten the Greens were actually part of the Government, then again I would forgive anyone for thinking FF and FG weren’t in Government either.
Just not good enough… Imagine lockdown without music, photography etc… One year ago musicians took to live streaming gigs out of love for their profession and to bring a bit of joy to friends and family during the darkest days and most are still going living off a few tips here and there… I look forward to the amount of quality live gigs that will be on as these artists try to get back on their feet… The government have failed them big time
What about people who have been out of work for the last 12 months and this coming week have Revenue looking for LOCAL PROPERTY TAX which FF said they would reform but silence as usual.
@Paul Howard: They deferred last years payment till July 21st, ask your local TD will it be deferred again? Why are the looking for it this week?
@Ally Mc Culladgh: Sorry deferred until July 2021
@Ally Mc Culladgh: Not correct – due 22 March 2021
https://www.revenue.ie/en/property/local-property-tax/is-your-property-liable-lpt/what-are-the-key-dates-for-lpt.aspx
@Ally Mc Culladgh: To pay the Arts??
@Ally Mc Culladgh: They will tell you it’s a privilege to get a mortgage, pay a mortgage, struggle to pay it, pay property tax for actually eventually owning a house, Oh! And to supplement their big pensions and salary increases.
Everyone is fed up ,Mehole, with your crumb throwing.
@Peter Bell: it’s Catherine Martin
@Peter Bell: it’s Catherine Martin ya dope
@Paul Doyle: Ah, in fairness, I mistook it for Micheal Martin as well, at first. For some reason, the ‘former music teacher and singer’ bit had me imagining him lashing out rebel songs down at his local boozer. (I guess Lockdown will do that to ya, lol.)
@Paul Doyle: THE BEST PART OF YOU RAN DOWN YOUR OUL FELLAS LEG.
@Peter Bell:end
@Peter Bell:
What a childish comment.
@Peter Bell:
childish comment
@Peter Bell: seriously? I’ve seen a lot of juvenile comments on the journal, but this one definitely takes the biscuit.
@Peter Bell: Did your parents ever ask you to run away from home?
@Peter Bell: di ck he ad
@Peter Bell: what about the clowns in SF? Surely the cost of the face paint should be covered?
@Ro-your-nan: what?
Is Bono on the PUP
@James Fox: No, his accountants will be advising him to buy failing businesses and increase his assets, out of his off-shore tax-free funds ….
@Martin Galvin:
any proof of anything illegal?
@Martin Galvin: same accountant that that advised U2 to donate €10,000,000 to COVID relief efforts in Ireland??
@Martin Galvin: if you do tiny a fraction of the positive things in your life that Bono has you will be doing well.
@john doe: Martin is just another one of those miserable half wits who knock every Irish success story out of pure jealousy.
You can protest our artists by doing your job, stop allowing 10,000 into this country every week
This will help reduce the number of covid cases
And that will allow restrictions to be relaxed
@trebloc01: what do you mean?
Surely they can draw the dole or get a job in a shop at the moment.
It’s laughable listening to the likes of Panti whining about his situation when we know full well he hasn’t applied to Lidl for a job even though they are hiring.
Govt could look at viability of giving participants in this hard-hit sector subsidised or even free broadband service to enable showcasing of creative wares to a potential global audience.
I’m sure the Minister would appreciate the sentiment in this little gem…
“Our culture is more shaped by the arts and humanities than it often is by politics”
Jim Leach
The people of Ireland talk the talk when it comes to the arts but blame them for being lazy at the same time give proper support to people in the arts and really embrace what it does for us and ireland
@Dermot Wynne: too vague Dermot – you need to be more specific. I’m arty – what kind of subsidy would you tax someone else for to pay for me? How much do I get?
@Ro-your-nan: your arty? Swear to God dealz doing a colouring book with crayons for about €3.
What about the companies that supply the actual sound equipment to the artists? Are they covered by this payment? We are 42 years in the industry and we’re on the brink of closing permanently. Don’t forget the sound hire guys!
I don’t think money is the only issue for artists, is it? Artists usually need to perform, and the audience is important to them. And we, the audience, also miss seeing artists performing live, not behind a computer screen. Concerts, theatre etc.
Artists my @55. Live off your work without any subsidy or take a running jump. Pretentious nonsense.
@Lotus: so write your own songs then.
Surely he means ‘homeless’ instead of ‘artists’
@P Mc G: *she
@P Mc G: took a while for the mandatory imaginative comment “wadabout da hooomelisss?”
Common the shiners …every time a green opens their entitled mouth another 100 votes go to SF
Sine Fine are an absolute joke of an opposition party. Always sitting on the fence with no backbone.
When a country is been pulled apart by government restriction this supposedly big change party are happy to talk but bring zero new solutions to the table.
For once people see properly tired of the usual so so politic’s but unfortunately the new change is very much of the same. Stand up now and lead on forever dream.
@Tom Hickey: That’s just not true. SF have introduced a number of bills attempting to make lives better for people in this country but FFG vote down anything they propose out of sheer spite and an inability to put party politics aside and work for the greater good. You’re just parroting what you’ve heard without putting any thought into it whatsoever. There are lots of issues you could take a swipe at SF with but this lie isn’t one of them.
12 months later..
A similar type scheme in 18th century UK lead to the industral revolution. Loads of clergymen were given a basic income, and in those days you needed a 3rd level degree to be a clergyman. Because most of them had no interest in religion ( it was just a title for power an influence they were after) they had little to do except spend time on their hobbies which included research and experimentation.
While the church pay no tax at all
Yes UBI for artists to give them security, 100% agree, they do important work. But if annual earnings go above the yearly minimum wage due to selling artwork etc then they need to be paying back their UBI money.
This is NOT what a “universal basic income” is. It’s the first word! Call it a grant, whatever, but it’s not remotely UBI and it’s a willful distortion of the term to call it that.
have your say