More than 9,000 infants died in homes for unmarried mothers in Ireland between 1920 and 1990, many led by Catholic religious orders, a long-awaited investigation completed after years of campaigning by survivors and their descendants.
In a few years in the 1930s and 1940s, the report said, more than 40% of children in mothers ‘and babies’ homes died before their first birthday, high mortality rates often known to the government and local authorities.
Throughout the study period, approximately 15% of all children in the 18 institutions surveyed died in homes, some of which were held and run by local health authorities and others by religious orders.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said the report described a “dark, difficult and shameful chapter in very recent Irish history” that had lasting consequences. He said the church, the state and society share responsibility and that responsible religious orders should contribute to those seeking compensation.
Some of the religious orders responsible for the houses have apologized. The former Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, said that “the church has gone beyond its role and become a church of control” and should apologize in comments to RTÉ, the Irish broadcaster. He said those responsible for the abuse had betrayed vulnerable women and their calling.