First mass exhumation of children's graves to begin in Tuam on June 16
Work at the site where 796 children are believed to be buried in Tuam, Co Galway, is set to begin following a decade-long campaign by the families of the children who died there.
The names of the children who lived in the home from 1925 to 1961 were revealed in 2014 by local historian Catherine Corless.
In a statement the Director of the Exhumation Daniel MacSweeney said, 'From the start of works on 16th June, 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'.
'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.
He described the operation as a 'unique and incredibly complex excavation' and said it is expected to take around 24 months.
'The final timetable will depend on many variables, some of which may only become fully clear as the work progresses' he continued.
'As the site will be under forensic control at all times during the excavation, we have encouraged families and survivors to visit the site, if they wished to do so, in recent weeks. In addition, we are putting in a place plans to facilitate a day for family members and survivors to include a visit to the perimeter of the forensically controlled site to view the works being undertaken. This will take place in the coming weeks.'
Mr MacSweeney is also encouraging families of the children to contact his team at info@dait.ie.
The Tuam grave site will be closed off while the work is underway, and strict controls on media and photographer access will be in place once the excavation begins.
The office of the intervention said 'This is necessary to respect the sensitive nature of the excavation and recovery programme, respect survivors and family members, protect the integrity of the forensic examination, and respect the privacy and professionalism of staff and allow them to fully focus on carrying out the works.
'Therefore, from 16th June and for the entire duration of the works, media and photographers must refrain from visiting the site, taking videos or photographs, and seeking to engage with staff.'
For more information about the excavation and recovery programme, please see www.odait.ie.
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