Advertisement

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.

File image at a Tuam mother and baby home silent vigil in 2018. Brian Farrell

Mother and baby home survivors told they can request full paper copy of commission report if they want to read it

The department said no physical copies of the report were made available ahead of its online release.

MOTHER AND BABY home survivors and their families have the option of receiving a paper copy of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation final report upon request, the Department of Children has said.

The department also confirmed that no full physical copies of the report were sent ahead of the report’s publication online on Tuesday.

“Abridged versions of the report were posted on Tuesday to the individual stakeholders which the Minister had spoken to in recent weeks who had consented to receiving the copy by post,” a spokesperson for the department said. 

“No copies of the report were provided by the Department ahead of the publication online on Tuesday.” 

The long-awaited final report from the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation was released earlier this week.

The report recommended that a State apology, redress and access should be given to survivors of the mother and baby homes operated in Ireland between 1922 and 1998.

The lengthy document confirmed that about 9,000 children died in the 18 homes under investigation – about 15% of all the children who were in the institutions.

The Department of Children has said that any former residents of the mother and baby homes or their family members can be sent a full paper copy of the report upon request.

This is six volumes and around 3,000 pages in length.

A shorter version of the report is also available to be posted out – this is around 304 pages long and covers the introduction, timeline, executive summary, recommendations and confidential committee report. 

Criticism

The fact that survivors were not provided with a copy of the report ahead of Tuesday has been criticised in recent days. 

Independent TD Catherine Connolly said in the Dáil yesterday that members of the Dáil received the executive summary of the report ahead of survivors. 

“No report was ever given to the survivors. They were invited to a webinar where they were told the government’s version and then they were invited to download 3,000 pages,” Connolly said. 

“Your language, and the language of the media, told them that they had the report when they didn’t have the report.”

She said that she found the narrative in the report “repulsive” and criticised the Taoiseach’s State apology issued yesterday.

“You’re saying here today that we’re all responsible. I am not responsible. My family was not responsible. The people I know were not responsible, and those least responsible were those put into the homes,” Connolly said. 

So don’t stand here today and expect me to listen to you with patience when you tell us society did that. Society did it – the society composed of the powerful against the powerless. 

Catherine Connolly TD / YouTube

Speaking to TheJournal.ie, Susan Lohan the co-founder of the Adoption Rights Alliance said the survivors of the homes had “neither a copy, nor a slice of the report” ahead of the webinar on Tuesday. 

“[The Department of Children] informed me by email that it was not their intention for survivors to have the hard copy executive summary, that’s all some of us have received, and it was never their intention that we would have it on time for Tuesday’s briefing, the webinar as it became known as,” Lohan said. 

“So, those of us who are computer savvy, who have broadband, who have computers at home, we were able to join the webinar.

But there were tens of thousands who could not. I don’t think it’s going to come as a surprise to people to know that the average 80-year-old woman – and that’s not necessarily a mother, that could be a child – would not necessarily have this technology at their fingertips.

She said people attending the webinar were on mute and no questions were answered despite a chat function being in place. 

It will be free of charge for survivors or their family members to receive a copy of either the full report or the shorter version, the Department of Children said, but there could be delays especially if people request the full version. 

The department said that “when the public health situation permits”, printed copies of the full report will be available in public locations like libraries and Citizens Information Services.

“The department wishes to be able to provide a printed copy of the full report to any former resident who wishes to have one,” the department said in a statement.

“If you are a former resident, or a family member, in order for a copy to be sent to you, you will need to provide the department with your postal address.” 

  • The department said people who wish to request a copy of the report should call 01 6473200 from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 6pm. 
  • People can also email motherandbabyhomes@equality.gov.ie.

Contains reporting by Órla Ryan.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
12 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dmc
    Favourite Dmc
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 9:32 AM

    The UK should have no business with an island thousands of miles away next to Argentina. How would we like if they took over the Aran Islands?

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mattoid
    Favourite mattoid
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 10:05 AM

    By your logic Ireland is geographically close to France therefore France is entitled to sovereignty over Ireland.

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mattoid
    Favourite mattoid
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 10:07 AM

    And most Argentinians have no right to be living in South America!

    30
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dmc
    Favourite Dmc
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 10:57 AM

    Mattoid, you are misinterpreting my point. The example I gave was an island a couple of miles off the Irish mainland. It wouldnt make sense to have it under French or British jurisdiction. Its Irish! The same should apply to the Falklands. British Impearlism trying to take over the world is over with!

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Dalt
    Favourite Mark Dalt
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 11:00 AM

    The UK has annexed territories and planted them with a puppet populations for years. Mattoid is an intellect, no country has a right to take.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Reg
    Favourite Reg
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 11:02 AM

    But Dmc, the Falklands aren’t a couple of miles of the aregentine coast. They are about 400 miles away.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mattoid
    Favourite mattoid
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 11:38 AM

    And there was no native population to displace – the British were the first to set foot on the islands.

    Given your comments about imperialism, do you also agree that all non-native Argentinians (the vast majority of the population) should withdraw from Argentina?

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mattoid
    Favourite mattoid
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 12:00 PM

    My point is that Argentina’s only claim over the Falklands is on the grounds of geographic proximity (a point which you hint at yourself), therefore with that logic what is to stop France making the same claim about Ireland?

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris K
    Favourite Chris K
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 9:34 AM

    Typical bullyboy tactics employed by the thatcher govt. long may she suffer.

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor Buggy
    Favourite Conor Buggy
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 10:34 AM

    What a horrible thing to say about the woman. Am sure you would love that if someone said the same about your Ma!

    She was doing what she thought was right for her country and for people who want to stay part of her country. Disagree with her actions all you like but nasty personal comments are childish and immature.

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Dalt
    Favourite Mark Dalt
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 11:06 AM

    Conor Buggy,

    She was an evil figure and still detested by the majority of Irish people. Tell you what Buggy, if you like her so much, why don’t you leave Ireland and move there. Leave the rest of us alone.

    25
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor Buggy
    Favourite Conor Buggy
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 12:35 PM

    With eejits such as yourself still in the country I’d be f&&king delighted to! 30 years on and theres still attitudes like that here. Hold on to your hate. I hope it consumes you.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute _doesnotcompute
    Favourite _doesnotcompute
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 10:23 AM

    Not surprising to see the veiled threats from Thatcher’s govt to the Irish Embassy in London.

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AJ Finnin
    Favourite AJ Finnin
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 10:03 AM

    The French won the Falklands war…let me explain………..

    The French Gov sold exocets to the Argentinians, the Argies were pulverising the brit fleet…….a few weeks into the war the exocets were falling out of the sky harmlessly.

    The French had sold the codes for disarming the exocets to the brits in exchange for billions of pounds worth of north sea oil……

    Here ended the history lesson.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Reg
    Favourite Reg
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 10:19 AM

    The Argentines only had 5 air lanch Exocets. I believe they had two hits and three misses. Hardly pulverising. Most of the damage was inflicted on the Royal Navy by argentine pilots using plain old fashioned bombs. The Royal Navy were lucky that these bombs failed to explode in a number of cases.

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Dalt
    Favourite Mark Dalt
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 12:26 PM

    The economic war has starved the British occupied Islas Malvinas which are now cut off from trading with most of latin America due to an Argentine-led economic blockade. This is costing Britain billions of ££££££££ !

    10
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Reg
    Favourite Reg
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 12:53 PM

    The FIs have never been as prosperous Mark. It is Argentina that is the economic basket case. Don’t let your anti-brittishness get in the way of a good rant though!!

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mattoid
    Favourite mattoid
    Report
    Dec 28th 2012, 2:05 PM

    Mark – the British were the first human beings to ever set foot on the Falklands, and they were settled (occupied??) by them long before Argentine even existed!!

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Mac An Úcaire
    Favourite Derek Mac An Úcaire
    Report
    Dec 29th 2012, 10:23 AM

    connor buggy i dont know if you are english or irish or just plan confused the idea that thatcher cared for anyone is a joke your words (She was doing what she thought was right for her country and for people who want to stay part of her country.)
    who was see looking out for in england during the coal miners strike ? they were her own people were they not?
    the millions unemployed were they her own people ?.

    as for an irish person hating her.
    you have a very short or be it selective memory if you can not see why any one with any knowledge of that evil woman would have feelings of hatred and contempt for her. chris k and mark are entitled to their opinion. I personally hope see has a long and painful illness and has time to reflect on all the pain and suffering she has put on anyone effected by her time on this earth.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Conor Buggy
    Favourite Conor Buggy
    Report
    Dec 29th 2012, 12:26 PM

    Maybe ask the falkland islanders what they think of her!

    I am Irish and happy to say that I can look back on our past without getting full of hate.

    And she cant remember anything these days as she has dementia. Something I hope you nor Mark or Chris ever has to witness in a family member. Thats why I said his comment was horrible. Nowhere did I say I agreed with her. Read what I actually said!

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoin Bishopski
    Favourite Eoin Bishopski
    Report
    Apr 25th 2013, 9:13 PM

    Maggie was not a nice politician. Hitler was not a nice leader. George Bush was an evil president. Get over it.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds