Works to forensically excavate the site of the former Mother and Baby institution in Tuam will begin on Monday next, June 16, according to Daniel MacSweeney, who leads the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, at Tuam (ODAIT ).
Families with relatives who were in the Tuam institution and survivors of the institution have already been informed about the timeline for the start of the excavation works. They will have an opportunity to view the site works as part of a Family and Survivors Day that ODAIT is holding in the coming weeks.
ODAIT has also been encouraging survivors and family members to visit the site before excavation commences on Monday, if they wished to do so. This is because, to protect the integrity of the examination, the site must be under forensic control and cannot be open to the public once work begins.
“From the start of works on June 16, the entire site, including the Memorial Garden, will be accessible only to staff carrying out the works and 24-hour security monitoring will be in place,” said Daniel MacSweeney in a statement to the Advertiser.
“The initial four weeks will involve setting up the site, including the installation of 2.4-metre hoarding around the perimeter. These measures are necessary to ensure the site’s forensic integrity and to enable us to carry out the works to the highest international standards that govern the excavation and recovery programme.
