Mother And Baby Site Graves Must Be Investigated

Experts call for coroners to lead ‘unprecedented’ probe

- Cate McCurry And Michelle Devane

Coroners should be instructed to investigate mass graves at mother and baby homes, survivor groups and experts have insisted.

Legal expert Phil Scraton said while costs will be “unprecedented”, a price “cannot be put on truth and accountability”.

The Oireachtas Children’s Committee has heard from a range of experts and campaigners as it scrutinised the Industrial Burials Bill.

The proposed legislation will enable an agency to be set up to oversee exhumations of remains.

Campaigners want coroners involved in the investigation of the burials of up to 9,000 babies.