We cannot fail the Tuam babies again

THE Tuam babies story was one that travelled around the world, a tragically sad reminder of how this country used to treat children. In her brief but powerful and poignant report after visiting the site, State Pathologist Marie Cassidy concludes that their remains were scattered in a haphazard manner, with little evidence any were even given the dignity of coffins.

Ms Cassidy was limited in the level of access she had to the entire site, and clearly this is a snapshot when a much bigger picture awaits discovery, especially if all the chambers in the septic tanks were to be opened up. Even so, her testimony is a powerful reminder of the story that shocked the country.

The nature of the world is that new stories come along and others slip into memory, but Tuam must not be allowed to simply go away, hidden from public view.

There have been many suggestions for the site, including one that it just be left alone and a memorial erected. That is unthinkable. It must be fully excavated so we can learn just how many children died at the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home, and how they died. Where possible, DNA testing must be carried out, and relatives, many of whom are still alive, be informed of the fate of their siblings.

There have been suggestions that the cost of this would be too high, but how can you put a price on common decency, on doing the right thing? The State failed these children in their brief lives. Failing them again in death would be the ultimate rejection of them as citizens of Ireland, citizens who deserved so much better than they ever received.