Senator Victor Boyhan has written to Taoiseach Micheal Martin calling for more supports for survivors of Mother & Baby Homes and other institutions.
Boyhan, who grew up in an orphanage in Dun Laoghaire, spoke passionately on the issue in the Seanad recently.
He shared the story of one woman who at the age of 80 told him about her baby son dying in an institution in Galway. She was not allowed to hold him.
Recalling the details, Boyhan said the gardener told the woman: “I tried to give your child a good burial. The nuns sent me away with your child in a wheelbarrow.”
Reacting to publication of the damning report into practices at 14 homes spanning six decades Senator Boyhan said: “Victims and survivors must be fully supported in obtaining practical supports.
“Healthcare and housing, medicals cards and where necessary a special state enhanced pension, as well as appropriate compensation, restitution and rehabilitative services.
“These are important issues that need to be fully address as part of an apology that the Taoiseach makes on behalf of the state.”
He added: “I spent my childhood in state childcare services. I remain deeply concerned that so many people ‘in care’ were terrorised, traumatised and subject to emotional, physical, sexual abuse, beatings, attempted rape and in some cases unauthorised vaccine tests and trials.
“A state apology must comprehensively address these issues and put in place immediate supports for survivors and their families.”
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