Mother and Baby home records should not be sealed, says local TD

(Above) Deputy Johnny Guirke, left, with activists outside Leinster House.

Sinn Fein's Johnny Guirke has called on fellow TDs to vote against the sealing of the records from the Mother and Baby homes.

Speaking today, the Meath Westmeath TD said:

"I have had many of my constituents get in touch with me recently over the proposed sealing of the records from the Mother and Baby homes which is been rushed through government. People are still feeling the pain that was brought through these homes, and in my area in Castlepollard at the Saint Peters Hospital or the Castlepollard Mother and Baby home as it was otherwise known.

"Over 4000 babies were born here over the years from 1935 – 1971, with at least 5% of these dying at birth and even more children dying before the age of 5. This must have been horrendous for all those poor women involved, these were young women who fell pregnant and very vulnerable living in new surroundings. The nuns from the Sisters of Sacred Heart who purchased the building in 1934, ran the home and took these women in to help at first but later they built a hospital and changed to a Mother and Baby home. The women worked out of the home doing general chores or and working in the gardens with farming produce, but they were also beaten mentally and physically if they spoke up of bad treatment.

"The mother and baby home records are a matter of public interest, and by sealing these records for 30 years, is like living through this hell again for families, it’s an insult to the rights of all women who have been let down by previous governments and I’m asking all TDs who have an ounce of decency left in their bones, to do the right thing and vote against this bill – and show support to all the families affected, " he said.