Successful Bessborough motion must see action from Government
Successful Bessborough motion must see action from Government - The Labour Party
Labour Councillor Peter Horgan has welcomed the unanimous passing of a motion at Cork City Council this evening (Monday, 14th September) to release the unpublished technical archeological reports concerning burials at Bessborough.
Speaking this evening, Cllr Horgan urged Government to support survivors of Bessborough and work to publish this information.
Cllr Horgan said:
“There has been unanimous support and agreement across the city that Bessborough must be protected as a site of conscious. Too many questions remain and we have a real chance now as a society to provide some answers to survivors.
“The motion passed unanimously this evening will see Cork City Council write to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and the Attorney General to demand Government acts for Bessborough.
“This includes the release of unpublished technical archeological reports concerning burials at Bessborough, unsealing all burial records held within the Commission of Investigation archive and directing the AG to open an inquest as a matter of moral urgency.
“It is appalling that an inquiry into Bessborough was considered and then abandoned in the 1940s, and that an infant mortality rate of 82% was recorded in a single year during that decade.
“Even more distressing is that of the more than 900 babies known to have died at Bessborough, fewer than 70 burial places have been identified. Each number is a person. We must be relentless in keeping a focus on Bessborough to uncover the truth. It is an area of real loss, real trauma and a legacy that must be treated with the utmost respect.
“Survivors and families deserve recognition and dignity. That was the aim of the motion I tabled with the support of Party colleagues in Cork City Council this evening. This is a moment to stand with survivors, to demand recognition of the past, and to ensure that Bessborough is treated with the dignity and respect it deserves.”