New planning application is deeply insensitive to survivors and deceased children
Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has expressed her opposition to the latest planning application for the former Bessborough mother and baby home estate in Cork city.
“I am completely opposed to plans for over 90 apartments by MWB Two Ltd on the Bessborough lands. Last year, there was a broad welcome from survivors of mother and baby homes when An Bord Pleanála rejected a Strategic Housing Development within the estate.
“This was on the basis that the board was not satisfied the site had not previously been used as a children’s burial ground. It’s important to note that the Commission of Investigation was only able to establish the burial place of 64 children at Bessborough, meaning the remains of over 850 children are unaccounted for.
“While this latest planning application relates to a different site within the estate, it has been greeted with understandable frustration by the Cork Survivors and Supporters Alliance. I fully support their calls for no planning permission to be permitted at Bessborough.
“Any attempt to develop a site within the grounds of this shameful institution will be considered inappropriate and insensitive until such a time that the full truth is uncovered.”
November 17, 2022