More than 9,000 babies died in single mothers’ homes in Ireland between the 1920s and 1990s, many run by Catholic religious orders, a long-awaited investigation concluded after years of campaigning of survivors and their children.
In some years during the 1930s and 1940s, the report said, more than 40% of children in the homes of mothers and babies died before their first birthday, high mortality rates generally known to government and local authorities.
During the entire study period, about 15% of all children in the 18 investigated institutions died in the homes, some of which were owned and managed by local health authorities and others by religious orders.
Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said the report describes a “dark, difficult and shameful chapter in very recent Irish history” that has had lasting consequences. He said that the Church, the state and society share responsibilities and that responsible religious orders should make a contribution to those seeking redress.
Some of the religious orders responsible for the houses apologized. Former Dublin archbishop Diarmuid Martin said that “the path of the church has gone beyond its role and has become a controlling church” and should apologize, in comments to RTÉ, the Irish broadcaster. He said those responsible for the abuse had betrayed vulnerable women and their vocation.