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Cork TD says publication of investigation into Mother and Baby homes is timely amid 'distasteful' plans for housing on Bessborough site

Tuesday, 12 January 2021 19:15

A Cork TD says it's very timely that the closing date to submit objections to the proposed social housing development on the Bessborough site is today.

It comes as a five-year investigation into mother and baby homes has found an "appalling" level of infant mortality among children born there.

The plans for the development, which would be located on lands associated with the Bessborough Mother and Baby home, have been branded distasteful and disrespectful. 

Concerns have been expressed that hundreds of babies could be buried on the 200-acre estate on the city’s southside, where at least 900 babies are known to have died.

Speaking to RedFM News Cork TD Holly Cairns says she's been contacted by so many people about the proposed development which is causing further suffering for those who had to walk through the doors of Bessborough, and leave them without their babies;

"For decades, we've seen in action in relation to redress and proper justice for survivors, and even an application going in for planning for a social housing development, where there is mass unmarked graves, needless to say compounds suffering for survivors, and that's something that shouldn't be happening. I think it's exceptionally distasteful and disrespectful to have any kind of proposal to build on a site where there is potential unmarked mass baby graves. I don't think we should even be talking about it, and a few weeks ago I did ask the Taoiseach to intervene."

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