Pre-excavation work to begin at former mother and baby home in Tuam

By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

Pre-excavation work on the site of a former mother and baby home in Tuam will start on Monday.

Daniel MacSweeney, who leads the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam (ODAIT), said families with relatives who were in the Co Galway institution have already been informed of the timeline of work.

He said they will have an opportunity to view the site works as part of a family and survivors’ day in the coming weeks.

The excavation is part of efforts to try to identify the remains of infants who died at the home between 1925 and 1961.

ODAIT has been encouraging survivors and family members to visit the site before excavation starts on Monday, as the site will be under forensic control and cannot be open to the public once work begins.

Mr MacSweeney said: “From the start of works on June 16, the entire site, including the memorial garden, will be accessible only to staff carrying out the works and 24-hour security monitoring will be in place.

“The initial four weeks will involve setting up the site, including the installation of 2.4-metre hoarding around the perimeter.

“These measures are necessary to ensure the site’s forensic integrity and to enable us to carry out the works to the highest international standards that govern the excavation and recovery programme.

“This is a unique and incredibly complex excavation.”

It is expected the work will take approximately two years to complete.