Campaigners have criticised the Government for refusing to allow public access to the records of the McAleese inquiry into Magdalene laundries — more than five years after the State apology.

Evidence of multiple illegal adoptions — with at least one child sold to the US from the Tuam mother and baby home — was uncovered by the HSE as early as 2012.

The McAleese inquiry into Magdalene laundries was informed in 2012 about “disturbing” infant death rates in excess of 50% at the Tuam Mother and Baby Home.