Baby home survivors denied public hearings

A number of requests by mother and baby home survivors to have their evidence heard in public have been refused by the Mother and Baby Homes Commission.

Under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, the commission is tasked with conducting its investigation in private unless “a witness requests that all or part of his or her evidence be heard in public and the commission grants the request”, or the commission is satisfied that it is “desirable in the interests of both the investigation and fair procedures to hear all or part of the evidence of a witness in public”.

Both the Adoption Rights Alliance (ARA) and Justice For Magdalenes Research (JFMR) groups and a number of natural mothers involved with the Irish First Mothers group have made requests to the commission for public hearings.