Additional 22 sets of infant remains recovered at Tuam Mother and Baby Home site

An additional 22 sets of infant remains have been recovered from the site of the former Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, Co Galway.

In its latest update, the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention in Tuam (ODAIT) stated: "An additional 22 sets of human remains were recovered from under the white tent during this reporting period, bringing the total number from within the red outline to 33.

"To date, all remains recovered from this area are of infants that were buried in coffins. Forensic analysis is underway.

"Radiocarbon dating tests have confirmed that the human remains submitted for testing to date are from the premodern era (before 1955).

"When the radiocarbon dating test results are considered alongside the results of the excavation, evidence collected and human remains recovered, it is ODAIT’s opinion that:

"The 33 sets of infant human remains recovered to date from the red outline area were buried during the period of operation of the Mother and Baby Institution Tuam (1925-61).

"The seven sets of human remains from the area adjacent to the boundary wall at the south of the site (green outline) were buried during the Workhouse era.

"The excavation continues to recover material and objects from the four phases of the site’s history.

"All evidence recovered is being photographed, catalogued and retained by ODAIT in a dignified and respectful manner consistent with international standards and best practice.

"Objects recovered from the period of the institution include the glass baby feeder.

"The excavation of the comingled infant remains identified during the 2016/2017 excavations in the subsurface concrete chambers on the site of a historic sewage system in the Memorial Garden presents ODAIT with a unique combination of forensic and engineering challenges."

ODAIT is also reporting that during the reporting period, eight more family reference DNA samples have been taken and delivered to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI), bringing the total to 28.

In accordance with the provisions set out in the legislation, ODAIT’s ID Programme team is engaging with a further 175 people who have contacted ODAIT to enquire about providing a DNA sample.

To date, over 65 cases are being processed for determination of eligibility with arrangements being made to take their samples in the coming weeks.

The excavation continues.

A further update on the excavation is due in April.