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I just had to not answer the phone.. I couldn’t put two words together CATHERINE CORLESS YESTERDAY
TUAM babies campaigner Catherine Corless has been swamped with uplifting cards since the publication of the Mother and Baby Homes report last week.
The Galway historian, who uncovered 796 children buried in a septic tank at the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home, said she is “absolutely exhausted” after a rollercoaster week.
But the mother-of-four, who has tirelessly fought to have the remains exhumed since 2012 and expose the truth of the scandal, said she has received more than 30 cards in the last three days from well-wishers which have helped lift her spirits. The 3,000page report, published last Tuesday, found 9,000 children died in Ireland’s church-run homes which had an “appalling” rate of infant mortality.
Ms Corless told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “My postman has had a busy time lately.
“I do be so amused at some of the envelopes that come in, some have Superwoman in brackets after my name.
“I have gotten at least 30 in the last three days, some cards and some from people asking me for help.
“A few of them have also thanked me for being a voice for them. It picks
me up and reminds me that at last I’m doing something. “When you are up against it the whole time and months can pass and nothing’s happening in the Dail and everything is falling on deaf ears, I get a lift again to know I have made a difference to people’s lives.” The publication of the 3,000-page report on Tuesday, which outlined a litany of abuse, neglect and cruelty, prompted a fresh backlash against Church and State. Ms Corless said: “It was so exhausting this week. On Thursday I just had to not answer my phone because I couldn’t put two words together in my mind.
“My mind was blank completely and I just needed a day to take a break.
“I was amazed that at least 10 people in the last few days have asked me if I can help. I spend a lot of my time doing that.
“I love to find stuff for people. I have the know-how and there is a lot of stuff online now which wasn’t before.
“Within a few days I normally have answers for people. It’s kind of like I’m beating the system when I do get the information for people.” The 64-yearold told how despite getting apologies from the Church and State last week there is still a lot more that needs to be done – including exhuming the remains from the Tuam site.
She added: “They are telling us they are going on the top of their heads to try and pass this legislation.
“Now Minister O’gorman said it would be by the end of this year by the time they had legislation in place.
“We are not accepting that and we are going to contest that. I don’t know what they have planned but
legislation to exhume babies, we have questioned that right from the start – why is it needed?
“Skeletal remains found anywhere can be exhumed without legislation. They are drawing out this legislation as far as and as long as they can.
“Legislation as we know can be passed by them when they feel like it. They are just gone right back to the start again.
“In the next few weeks, we will be writing to Minister O’gorman and we will be objecting to what he said because there’s absolutely no reason why they can’t say, ‘OK we will pass this legislation and get started on Tuam’. It’s an absolute crime.”
And Ms Corless said there is a need to “keep an eye on the Government in regrets legislation”.
She explained: “We still have families around who want their flesh and blood out of that sewage tank and that’s the bottom line.
“We can’t give up on that and it’s a shame and a crime we still have to fight for it.”
And the campaigner stressed there is no need for a referendum as people who have been adopted should have the right to know who they are and have access to their medical history.
Ms Corless added: “That’s another disgrace that people who only want their medical information and it’s an insult to ask people of Ireland whether they should have their identity or not. It’s a basic human right.”
And Ms Corless said it was great to get apologies but insisted they follow through with promises.
She added: “It’s easy for them to apologise but it’s actions everyone needs.
“I’m going to keep helping people and do any tracing I can and I cannot rest until that holding is up around the Tuam site again and they have started on it.
“At that stage and not until then.”