Bishops apologise as Kenny orders religious homes probe

Catholic bishops apologised for the "hurt caused by the Church" as Taoiseach Enda Kenny ordered a wide-ranging investigation into what he branded the "abominable" way mothers and babies were treated in religious-run homes.

The probe will look at death rates and burial practices at the homes, as well as illegal adoptions and vaccine trials.

The bishops’ conference said in a statement: “The investigation should inquire into how these homes were funded and, crucially, how adoptions were organised and followed up.