Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD has condemned a decision permitting the construction of apartments on the grounds of the former Bessboro mother and baby home in Cork, describing it as cruel and shameful.

She urged the Government to intervene immediately by purchasing the site, ordering a thorough excavation and investigation of the land, and safeguarding Bessboro as a site of national conscience.

Teachta McDonald said: "The decision to allow the building of apartments on the site of Bessboro is cruel and shameful. It is unconscionable that this should happen when the burial place of more than eight hundred children who died in Bessboro remains unknown.

-- Advertisement --

"This land is possibly the final resting place for so many. This land holds the truth. It holds evidence. The full story of what happened to these children must be established and their memories must be honoured. To turn a place of such importance into a construction site is indefensible. The decision compounds the suffering and trauma of survivors who continue to fight for truth and justice with great dignity and courage.

"The Government has the power to stop this from happening. It must act with urgency to buy the site, ensure proper excavation of the land, and preserve Bessboro as a place of national conscience. The Government has a duty of care and respect to survivors. They should not be forced to fight again to stop the full truth of Bessboro being paved over."