More than 9,000 babies died in the homes of single mothers in Ireland between the 1920s and the 1990s, many of whom are governed by Catholic religious orders.
In some years during the thirties and forties, the report said that more than 40% of children in the mother and baby homes die before their first birthday, a high mortality rate often known by the government and local authorities.
Throughout the study period, approximately 15% of all children in the 18 institutions surveyed died in the homes, some of which were owned and managed by local health authorities through religious orders.
The Prime Minister of Ireland, Michael Martin, said the report described a ‘dark, difficult and shameful chapter in recent Irish history’ which had lasting consequences. He said that the church, the state and society share responsibility and that the responsible religious orders must make a contribution to those who want to make amends.
Some of the religious orders responsible for the houses apologized. The former Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, said ‘the church has surpassed its role and become a church’, and must apologize in the comments to RTÉ, the Irish broadcaster. He said those responsible for the abuse had betrayed vulnerable women and their calling.