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I asked the Taoiseach to ensure that the coroner carries out its duty in respect to the mass infant and child deaths in mother and baby homes
.
It is the duty of a coroner to hold an inquest when a body is found in their district. See here:
https://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/1962/act/9/revised/en/html#SEC17
.It is the duty of a coroner to hold an inquest when a body is found in their district. See here:
https://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/1962/act/9/revised/en/html#SEC17
The Government Action Planpublished in response to the report makes no mention of inquests or accountability and simply does not reflect the magnitude of the crimes committed. In fact, it seems like a blatant attempt to avoid these very issues.
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/4f64f-government-statement-on-the-final-report-of-the-commission-of-investigation-mother-and-baby-homes-and-certain-related-matters/
published in response to the report makes no mention of inquests or accountability and simply does not reflect the magnitude of the crimes committed. In fact, it seems like a blatant attempt to avoid these very issues. https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/4f64f-government-statement-on-the-final-report-of-the-commission-of-investigation-mother-and-baby-homes-and-certain-related-matters/
We need to make sure survivors get justice.
If you agree, I am asking you to email your TDs, the Taoiseach & the Min for Children to tell them there needs to be an inquest into the deaths, as well as redress, access to data, a commission for the disappeared and further research.
If you agree, I am asking you to email your TDs, the Taoiseach & the Min for Children to tell them there needs to be an inquest into the deaths, as well as redress, access to data, a commission for the disappeared and further research.
If you need some help getting started, you'll find a draft email template here: 
https://hollycairns.ie/?p=184
I recommend reading the joint statement from Adoption Rights Alliance, Justice for Magdalene laundries and the Clann Project: http://ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk/responding-to-irelands-mother-and-baby-homes-commission-report/
https://hollycairns.ie/?p=184 I recommend reading the joint statement from Adoption Rights Alliance, Justice for Magdalene laundries and the Clann Project:
http://ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk/responding-to-irelands-mother-and-baby-homes-commission-report/
I have also put together a brief Q+A below on what has happened and will happen next in terms of the Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes.
Q. Where can I read a copy of the report for myself?
A. Right here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d4b3d-final-report-of-the-commission-of-investigation-into-mother-and-baby-homes/
. Q. Where can I read a copy of the report for myself?
A. Right here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d4b3d-final-report-of-the-commission-of-investigation-into-mother-and-baby-homes/
Q. What are the failings and shortcomings of the Mother & Baby Commission Report?
A. There are many.
Since its publication, the report has been broadly rejected by survivors, advocacy groups, human rights lawyers & the general public.
Some of the main issues identified:
A. There are many.
Since its publication, the report has been broadly rejected by survivors, advocacy groups, human rights lawyers & the general public.
Some of the main issues identified:
This is a good article from @Elaine_Loughlin that touches on this issue 
https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-40205603.html
https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-40205603.html
2. The report contradicts the survivors’ lived experiences.
This is an excellent article written by @CaelainnH, author of Republic of Shame https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/mother-and-baby-homes-report-contradicts-survivors-lived-experiences-1.4457411
This is an excellent article written by @CaelainnH, author of Republic of Shame
https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/mother-and-baby-homes-report-contradicts-survivors-lived-experiences-1.4457411
I recommend taking a few minutes to read this article by Legal academic @maireadenright, it goes into great detail about the report’s failings and shortcomings and it is so, so important that this is recognised: http://ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk/responding-to-irelands-mother-and-baby-homes-commission-report/
http://ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk/responding-to-irelands-mother-and-baby-homes-commission-report/
Q. Why do these failings and shortcomings matter?
A. They matter because unfortunately this report and its flawed findings will colour what happens next.
A. They matter because unfortunately this report and its flawed findings will colour what happens next.
Q. What’s happening next?
A. In the coming year there will be legislative debates on:
A. In the coming year there will be legislative debates on:
Q. Why haven't Government responded to the clear flaws in the report?
A. I don't have an answer for this. It feels like they’re hoping it will go away & disappear back under the carpet. This happened after the McAleese and Ryan Report and others. We cannot let this happen again.
A. I don't have an answer for this. It feels like they’re hoping it will go away & disappear back under the carpet. This happened after the McAleese and Ryan Report and others. We cannot let this happen again.
Q. What needs to happen next?
A. We all need to make sure this doesn’t fall out of the headlines. We are calling for an inquest (amongst other things) into the staggering numbers of infant deaths at the mother and baby homes.
A. We all need to make sure this doesn’t fall out of the headlines. We are calling for an inquest (amongst other things) into the staggering numbers of infant deaths at the mother and baby homes.
Q. How likely is that to happen?
A. It can happen if enough public pressure is put on the government to do it.
A. It can happen if enough public pressure is put on the government to do it.
Q. What can I do to help?
A. You retweet this and email your TDs, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Children to them you support this call for an inquest as well as urgent action in the areas of redress, access to data, a commission for the disappeared and further research.
A. You retweet this and email your TDs, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Children to them you support this call for an inquest as well as urgent action in the areas of redress, access to data, a commission for the disappeared and further research.
We have put together a draft email template here https://hollycairns.ie/?p=184 to help get you started.
And you can find your local TD’s contact information here: https://www.whoismytd.com
https://hollycairns.ie/?p=184 to help get you started.And you can find your local TD’s contact information here:
https://www.whoismytd.com
