Treat it like a murder case
Mother and baby home survivor calls for inquests on 798 deaths
A MOTHER and baby home survivor yesterday demanded inquests into the deaths of almost 800 tots buried in a septic tank.
Peter Mulryan, whose sister was listed among those who died at the Tuam institution, claimed they could lead to murder probes.
The 75-year-old insisted authorities establish, where possible, the cause of death of the 798 infants – some of whom he believes may have died violently or from neglect.
Mr Mulryan, from Ballinasloe, Co Galway, was born at the Regional – now University College Hospital Galway – in 1944.
The newborn and his mum Delia were then moved into the Tuam Mother and Baby Home run by the Bon Secours Sisters.
He has a record of the birth of his sister, Marian Bridget Mulryan, in 1954 and her death certificate nine months later but because the records are so unreliable he is still hoping she may have been adopted.
Speaking after Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone revealed the bodies would be exhumed for identification, Mr Mulryan added: “I’m delighted they’re making a start.
“But it wouldn’t be very comprehensive [in my opinion]. They didn’t say they would have an investigation into the cause of death or anything like that, which we have requested.
“It’s very important we get that. We want an awful lot more done. I mean if they were dealing with any other place where they found bodies the place would be closed down and sealed off, 100% DNA [analysis] would be done and a full investigation would have to be done.
“Why did so many babies die in there? Five times greater than the norm, all different ages along the way.
“The State and the order is afraid we’ll find out too much information.
“We know they were malnourished and God knows were they suffocated? Was there drowning or whatever? Was it starvation?
“And I know that’s the big fear now, that they’re not saying it out, that there would be a proper investigation into this, the same as any murder case. A proper investigation must be done – it’s in the law and in our constitution.”
Peter lived in the Tuam facility for four-and-a-half years before he was fostered out where he then suffered abuse PLAN at the hands of his Minister foster parents. As Zappone Marian’s birth in 1954 was seen as the “second offence” by his mum, then 43, in the eyes of the State it required indefinite incarceration at a Magdalene Laundry.
Delia was relocated from Tuam to the Magdalene Laundry in Forster Street and she died there in March 1989, aged 78.
And it is believed up to 1,000 children were trafficked from Tuam
to the United States and Canada and had their documentation falsified with some issued death certificates.
Mr Mulryan, chairman of the Tuam Home Survivors Network and currently in Boston, believes the Bon Secours order fears more information will come to light.
He said: “Of course – that’s why they’re trying to cover up every chance they get and drag it on so that most of us would be passed and gone so there’ll be less noise made even redress or anything. I would say the €2.5million they offered is [another example of that]. It’s a pittance. That won’t be accepted at all.
“The information I saw on my sister was she was a healthy baby. Why then [could] she not be alive.
“And that’s why I’m watching out in America as well. I’m getting people to contact us. Myself or my family have not been asked to give DNA samples yet. The Commission said the first
bones found [in 2016] were handed over to the Government, that it was out of their hands and basically nothing was done.
“I couldn’t understand why they didn’t DNA those bones when they had them and start [the process].
“We are so disappointed there has been no mention of any inquests taking place. “I would say [to Minister Zappone] I want those babies taken out and moved at the request of their families to wherever their siblings are, and for a proper investigation to be done. It’d mean an awful lot. We could raise our heads up for the first time and join society and get respect like everybody else is getting.
“I have waited 60 years to raise my head and say who I am so we’ve a little bit of relief.”
The Bon Secours order have never apologised to Peter or his family.
Why did so many babies die, five times the norm? The State and the order is afraid
PETER MULRYAN IN BOSTON
YESTERDAY