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A shrine at the mass grave for children at the site of the former mother and child home in Tuam, Ireland
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AIDAN CRAWLEY / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock
In Irish mother-and-child homes for unmarried women, thousands of babies and children died in the 20th century, according to an investigation report.
"Around 9,000 children died in the homes examined - around 15 percent of all children who were in the homes," said the report of an independent commission of inquiry.
Respiratory diseases and gastrointestinal inflammation were found to be the main causes of death in infants and children.
Unmarried women lived in the homes with their children who had been despised by society at that time.
The homes were controlled by the government and run by religious organizations.
Finally, under the pressure of public questions and persistent research, the Dublin government set up a commission of inquiry.
Since 2015, witnesses have been interviewed, burial sites tracked down and archaeologically examined, and files viewed.
"The absence of professional staff, combined with a general indifference to the fate of children born in mother-child homes, has contributed to the appalling infant mortality," the report said.
According to the Commission, before 1960, children deemed illegitimate were more likely to die in the homes than outside.
“It was extremely cold and harsh for women.
All women suffered serious discrimination, ”the report's authors wrote.
Often the women living in the homes had become pregnant through rape, others had health or psychological problems.
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svs / dpa