Citation

Michael Garrett P. Br. J. Soc. Work 2017; 47(2): 358-374.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/bjsw/bcv116

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In summer 2014, reports that a 'septic tank grave' containing 'skeletons of 800 babies' had been located on the site of a former home for 'unmarried mothers' in Tuam, County Galway, became an international news item. Following the media frenzy triggered by the apparent discovery, the Irish coalition government announced the setting-up of a Commission of Investigation to examine responses to 'unmarried mothers' and their children during the years between 1922 and 1998. The publication of the inquiry's report is due in 2018. Drawing on archival material and the annual reports of the Catholic Protection and Rescue Society of Ireland (CPRSI), the article historicises the evolution of Mother and Baby Homes and links past practices with how women's reproductive rights are regulated today. Connections are also made with how the state presently responds to asylum seekers in Ireland's 'modern, civilised democracy' ( Flanagan, 2014).