The burial place of well over 800 children who died in the care of Bessborough Mother and Baby Home is unknown - despite "very extensive inquiries and searches".

Children's Minister Katherine Zappone has said the State Commission has found no physical or documentary evidence of systematic burials at Bessborough, but considers that it is highly likely that burials took place there.

Children adopted from a Sacred Heart Sisters’ mother-and-baby home in Cork have called for an independent public inquiry to find out many babies died at the centre and where on the site they are buried.

The opening round of the Westmeath SHC was played over the weekend with all eight teams taking part in the double headers of games played in Cusack Park, Mullingar on Saturday and Sunday evening.

Seanad leader and former Government Minister Mary O’Rourke is to run in the next General Election, it emerged today.