The remains of ten more infants have been found at the site of the former mother and baby home in Tuam, Galway, all with evidence of coffins.
It brings the number of infant remains found at the site, which was operational from 1925 to 1961 to 109. All 109 remains were found in coffins.
The forensic excavation by the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam (Odait) began in July last year, with the dig expected to last for two years.
The coffins have been historically described as single-shouldered and white-painted.
The home, a State institution managed by the Bon Secours sisters, was funded by Galway County Council.
The 2,865-page ‘Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes published in 2021 noted that the Commission had “not seen any evidence that the religious orders who ran the mother and baby homes made a profit,” but that they “struggled to make ends meet and their members were not always paid for their work.”
The report found that authorities knew about the high death rates, The Taoiseach’s summary of the Commission’s findings states that official publications recorded the problem, but there was little to no effective State intervention in response.
It also noted that women were generally not legally forced into the homes, with the Commission finding that many had effectively no realistic alternative – particularly in cases where families rejected them and they had no money or other support.
The Commission described the environment for many women as “hard, cold and uncaring.”
Conditions varied substantially between institutions, with the Commission having identified particularly appalling conditions in Tuam, Kilrush and some county homes, while conditions elsewhere were better and improved over time.
The report’s conclusions did not attribute everything simply to religious orders. The Government’s own response acknowledged failures involving both the State and religious congregations with the Taoiseach apologising on behalf of the Government, State and citizens for the treatment of mothers and children,
The report noted homes being part of a broader system which involved families, communities, State authorities, religious institutions and social attitudes towards pregnancy outside of marriage.