Ireland begins dig at mass grave of 800 babies exposed by historian
After more than a decade of tireless research and ridicule, Catherine Corless—the historian who uncovered the burial site of nearly 800 babies at Tuam, County Galway, beneath a former Irish home for unwed mothers—is finally seeing justice take root.
Excavation crews began work this week at the grounds of the former Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, marking a major turning point in one of Ireland's darkest historical reckonings.
In an interview with The Irish Times, Corless reflected on her struggle to bring the truth to light. 'It's just beginning to dawn on me now,' she said. 'It has taken a while to sink in.'
Her work first gained national attention in 2014, when she uncovered death certificates for 796 children who died at the Tuam home between the 1920s and 1961—but found only one corresponding burial record. Convinced the children's remains were still on site, she pushed for answers while facing relentless opposition.
The local backlash was immediate and intense, she reportedly told the news outlet. 'People would cross the street to avoid me,' Corless told The Irish Times. Strangers harassed her in supermarkets, while others accused her of smearing the town's name.
'You're about as credible as Santa Claus. You're a disgrace,' a man wrote in an email to her just days ago, on June 15. 'I hope those nuns bring you to court.'
But on Monday, Corless was vindicated. The fenced-off site where the babies' bodies were buried—some inside a decommissioned septic tank—is now under forensic control, with a full-scale excavation underway.
In 2017, government investigators confirmed what Corless had long suspected: a mass grave was found beneath the grounds of the home. DNA analysis later revealed the remains belonged to babies and children ranging from 35 weeks gestation to three years old.
The home, run by an order of Catholic nuns until its closure in 1961, was one of many institutions in Ireland where unmarried pregnant women were placed—often forcibly—and their children hidden, mistreated, or adopted without consent.
'All those lovely little children and babies, that's the one thing that drove me,' Corless told The Irish Times. 'That's all that was in my mind—these babies in a sewage system, they have to come out.'
The broader scandal is staggering: nearly 9,000 children are believed to have died in 18 mother-and-baby homes across Ireland. Most succumbed to illnesses like gastroenteritis, whooping cough, diphtheria, and tuberculosis. But the lack of burial records—particularly in Tuam—points to deep institutional neglect.
In 2021, the Irish government issued a formal apology for the mistreatment of women and children in these homes, acknowledging that 'a profound failure of empathy, understanding and basic humanity' had occurred.
Daniel MacSweeney, head of the excavation project, said the process is expected to take two years. Families will have the opportunity to view the work as it progresses. Identified remains will be returned to relatives; unidentified remains will be buried respectfully.
'This is not just an excavation,' MacSweeney noted. 'It is a national act of recognition and dignity.'
For Corless, that long-overdue dignity is finally beginning to emerge from the soil of Tuam. As she quietly watches the start of the dig she spent years fighting for, her words ring as powerfully now as when she began: 'It's about doing the right thing.'
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Mint
a day ago
- Mint
Ireland begins dig at mass grave of 800 babies exposed by historian
After more than a decade of tireless research and ridicule, Catherine Corless—the historian who uncovered the burial site of nearly 800 babies at Tuam, County Galway, beneath a former Irish home for unwed mothers—is finally seeing justice take root. Excavation crews began work this week at the grounds of the former Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, marking a major turning point in one of Ireland's darkest historical reckonings. In an interview with The Irish Times, Corless reflected on her struggle to bring the truth to light. 'It's just beginning to dawn on me now,' she said. 'It has taken a while to sink in.' Her work first gained national attention in 2014, when she uncovered death certificates for 796 children who died at the Tuam home between the 1920s and 1961—but found only one corresponding burial record. Convinced the children's remains were still on site, she pushed for answers while facing relentless opposition. The local backlash was immediate and intense, she reportedly told the news outlet. 'People would cross the street to avoid me,' Corless told The Irish Times. Strangers harassed her in supermarkets, while others accused her of smearing the town's name. 'You're about as credible as Santa Claus. You're a disgrace,' a man wrote in an email to her just days ago, on June 15. 'I hope those nuns bring you to court.' But on Monday, Corless was vindicated. The fenced-off site where the babies' bodies were buried—some inside a decommissioned septic tank—is now under forensic control, with a full-scale excavation underway. In 2017, government investigators confirmed what Corless had long suspected: a mass grave was found beneath the grounds of the home. DNA analysis later revealed the remains belonged to babies and children ranging from 35 weeks gestation to three years old. The home, run by an order of Catholic nuns until its closure in 1961, was one of many institutions in Ireland where unmarried pregnant women were placed—often forcibly—and their children hidden, mistreated, or adopted without consent. 'All those lovely little children and babies, that's the one thing that drove me,' Corless told The Irish Times. 'That's all that was in my mind—these babies in a sewage system, they have to come out.' The broader scandal is staggering: nearly 9,000 children are believed to have died in 18 mother-and-baby homes across Ireland. Most succumbed to illnesses like gastroenteritis, whooping cough, diphtheria, and tuberculosis. But the lack of burial records—particularly in Tuam—points to deep institutional neglect. In 2021, the Irish government issued a formal apology for the mistreatment of women and children in these homes, acknowledging that 'a profound failure of empathy, understanding and basic humanity' had occurred. Daniel MacSweeney, head of the excavation project, said the process is expected to take two years. Families will have the opportunity to view the work as it progresses. Identified remains will be returned to relatives; unidentified remains will be buried respectfully. 'This is not just an excavation,' MacSweeney noted. 'It is a national act of recognition and dignity.' For Corless, that long-overdue dignity is finally beginning to emerge from the soil of Tuam. As she quietly watches the start of the dig she spent years fighting for, her words ring as powerfully now as when she began: 'It's about doing the right thing.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Irish group Kneecap appears in UK court; charged with terror offence over Hezbollah flag; hundreds rally in support outside courthouse
Hundreds of supporters gathered outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Wednesday as Liam O'Hanna, known by his stage name Mo Chara, a member of the Irish rap group Kneecap — appeared in court on a terrorism-related charge. The 27-year-old rapper and member of the Belfast-based group Kneecap is accused of displaying the flag of Hezbollah , a banned Iran-backed militant group, during a concert in London in November 2024. He was charged in May under the UK's Terrorism Act, which makes it a criminal offence to publicly show symbols in a way that could suggest support for a proscribed organisation. Mo Chara arrived in court wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf and black sunglasses. The flag incident reportedly took place during a Kneecap performance, where the group claims the flag was thrown on stage by someone in the audience. They have called the charge 'an attempt to silence' them. Kneecap, known for their bilingual Irish-English lyrics and provocative political messaging, often include pro-Palestinian statements in their performances. The case has drawn attention for its intersection of free expression, artistic performance, and anti-terror legislation. Chants of "Free Palestine" and "Kneecap" echoed both outside and within the court building. In the UK, showing support for Hamas and the Iran-supported Lebanese organisation Hezbollah is illegal, as both groups are prohibited. Kneecap has rejected the allegation following their recent statements criticising the Gaza war and opposing Israel. "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction," the group had earlier posted on X. On Wednesday, O'Hanna received unconditional bail, with the next court date set for August 20. His court appearance was limited to confirming his personal details. Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove clarified that O'Hanna's Palestinian support and Israeli criticism weren't at issue. "He is well within his rights to voice his opinions and his solidarity," Bisgrove told AFP. The prosecution focused on O'Hanna's alleged display of "the flag of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation, while allegedly saying 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah'". The punk-rap collective maintains that the video evidence was presented without proper context. At London's Wide Awake Festival in May, O'Hanna suggested the charge aimed to "silence us" following multiple cancelled shows. Their Scottish performance was cancelled due to safety issues, German venues withdrew their shows, and UK ministers questioned their scheduled Glastonbury appearance. The defence challenged the timing of the charge, noting it came on May 21, six months after the November 21 concert. The group performs in both Irish and English languages, viewed as bold innovators by supporters and radical elements by critics. Since their 2017 formation, they've courted controversy through drug-referenced lyrics, opposition to the previous Conservative government, and criticism of British control in Northern Ireland. Formed in 2017, Kneecap has often found itself at the center of controversy. Known for lyrics that reference drugs and for their strong anti-establishment views, the group has frequently clashed with the former UK Conservative government and openly opposes British rule in Northern Ireland. Last year, the group gained international recognition after a semi-fictional film inspired by their story won several awards, including at the Sundance Film Festival.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Kneecap rapper in court on terror charge over Hezbollah flag
A rapper with the provocative Irish group Kneecap appeared in court on Wednesday (June 18, 2025), charged with a terror offence for allegedly supporting Hezbollah, as hundreds of cheering fans gathered outside. Liam O'Hanna, 27, known by his stage name Mo Chara, was charged in May after being accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London concert in November. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (June 18, 2025) wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf around his neck, and black sunglasses. Shouts of "Free Palestine" and "Kneecap" rang out from the crowd outside, as well as from people inside the court building. The Iran-backed Lebanese force Hezbollah and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are banned in the U.K., and it is an offence to show support for them. Kneecap, which recently grabbed headlines for statements denouncing the war in Gaza and against Israel, has denied the charge. "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction," the Belfast band wrote on X last month. The court released O'Hanna on unconditional bail on Wednesday (June 18, 2025) and set the next hearing for August 20. He spoke only to confirm his name and address. Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said the case was "not about Mr. O'Hanna's support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel". "He is well within his rights to voice his opinions and his solidarity," Mr. Bisgrove said. Instead, the prosecutor said, the case was about Mr. O'Hanna wearing and displaying "the flag of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation, while allegedly saying 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah'". The raucous punk-rap group has said the video that led to the charge was taken out of context. Mr. O'Hanna told London's Wide Awake Festival in May that the charge was an attempt to "silence us" after several of their performances were cancelled. A performance in Scotland was pulled over safety concerns, various shows in Germany were axed, and U.K. government ministers had suggested the organisers of the upcoming Glastonbury festival should reconsider the band's appearance. The singer's defence team argued that the charge fell outside a six-month time limit, as the concert was performed on November 21, and he was charged on May 21. Unfazed Daring provocateurs to their fans, dangerous extremists to their detractors, the group's members rap in the Irish language as well as English. Formed in 2017, the group is no stranger to controversy. Their lyrics are filled with references to drugs, they have repeatedly clashed with the U.K.'s previous Conservative government and have vocally opposed British rule in Northern Ireland. Last year, the group was catapulted to international fame by a semi-fictional film based on them that scooped multiple awards including at the Sundance festival. O'Hanna, Liam Og O Hannaidh in Gaelic, was charged last month after London's Metropolitan Police investigated a video from the festival in Kentish Town, north London, in November 2024. One of the supporters outside the court on Wednesday (June 18, 2025), Sadia Kokni, denounced the charge as "ridiculous". "Kneecap actually represent every one of us. They speak for us, you know, because everything they feel, every injustice that they feel, we feel," the 44-year-old told AFP. "We came to defend the right to protest and freedom of speech," said banker, Caitlin McClure, 24. "I'm a fan of Kneecap, their music means something to me. I'm Scottish and we are not independent either." The group apologised this year after a 2023 video emerged appearing to show one singer calling for the death of British Conservative MPs. Rich Peppiatt, who directed the award-winning semi-autobiographical film about Kneecap, told AFP this week that the group was "unfazed" by the legal charge and controversies. "Even through all the controversy at the moment, they just shrug their shoulders and get on with it," Mr. Peppiatt said. "They've always been controversial at a local level, and they've always bounced back from it," he added. Prominent British musicians and groups including Paul Weller, Massive Attack, Brian Eno, Pulp and Primal Scream have defended the group and denounced a "concerted attempt to censor and de-platform Kneecap".
