The excavation of a mass grave containing the remains of babies and young children at Tuam in County Galway has officially commenced. This site was once home to an institution for unmarried mothers, operational from 1925 to 1961. The issue gained international attention over a decade ago when amateur historian Catherine Corless uncovered death certificates for 796 infants and children, yet no burial records existed.

In 2017, investigators discovered what they termed "significant quantities of human remains" within underground chambers of a disused sewage system at the site. The institution, known as St Mary's mother-and-baby home, was managed by the Bon Secours Sisters, a Catholic religious order, and owned by Galway County Council.

A team of experts from various countries, including Colombia, Spain, the UK, Canada, Australia, and the United States, has joined Irish specialists in this unprecedented excavation. The operation is being conducted by the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam (ODAIT), which took control of the site four weeks ago to begin preparatory work. Daniel MacSweeney, leading the excavation, described the process as "unique and incredibly complex."

Scientists have noted that the remains are largely "commingled," meaning the bones are mixed together. Various methods will be employed to attempt to reconstruct the remains and, where feasible, identify them. The excavation is expected to continue until 2027, with additional follow-up work planned for another three years.

So far, around 80 individuals have come forward to provide DNA samples, hoping to identify the remains of their relatives. Anna Corrigan, who had two brothers born in the institution, expressed mixed feelings about the excavation's commencement. "While it's a relief to see work started on the site, it's really only the latest stage in what is still a long road for all of us," she stated. Corrigan emphasised her determination for justice, stating, "I won't rest until I see justice for my two brothers who not only need a proper Christian burial but also the full rigours of the law applied."

The case of William Joseph Dolan, who died in 1951 without a death certificate, highlights the ongoing concerns. Anna reported him as a missing person to the Irish police in 2013. She also sought an investigation into her other brother, John Desmond Dolan, whose death was attributed to "measles" and "congenital idiot" in 1947. Corrigan contended that he died due to neglect and malnutrition, questioning how such a situation could occur despite her mother sending money for his care.

Kevin Winters, Anna's solicitor, confirmed that police would be issuing investigation numbers for these cases, marking a significant step in the formal criminal investigation. He stressed the importance of conducting inquests into the unexplained deaths, urging the coroner to enhance intervention since the case was opened in 2017.

Annette McKay, whose mother was sent to the home at the age of 17, believes her sister Mary Margaret's remains may be among those in the mass grave. "Mum's grave still doesn't have her name on the headstone," she shared, highlighting the ongoing pain and unresolved issues surrounding the institution's legacy.

To ensure the integrity of the excavation, hoardings have been erected around the Tuam site, with 24-hour security in place. The area is being preserved to the same forensic standard as a police investigation. Both the Bon Secours Sisters and Galway County Council have previously issued apologies, with the religious order contributing £2.14 million towards the excavation efforts.