The Irish government says it is considering holding an inquiry after the remains of 796 children were found in a concrete septic tank at a former home for unmarried mothers run by the Catholic Church.<br /><br />The institution in Tuam in County Galway was run by the Sisters of the Bon Secours between 1925 and 1961. <br /><br />The dead children were aged between two days and nine years old. Death records show that most died of malnutrition or disease.<br /><br />The Irish Minister for Children, Charlie Flanagan, said: “What government is doing here is establishing the facts so that we can get to the bottom of this harrowing issue. It’s a matter of great public disquiet and upset, not only for the families involved but for local communities. What we will have is a report to government before the end of this month and then advance matters further.”<br /><br />The Tuam home was one of many homes in Ireland where around 35,000 unmarried pregnant women, including rape victims, were sent.<br /><br />They were regarded as fallen women and their children were denied baptism and segregated at school.
