Exhumation of Tuam babies site begins as surviving mother prays to find missing son

Excavation works are underway at the site of the former Tuam Mother and Baby Institution, where it is believed the remains of hundreds of children lie buried. Picture: Chani Anderson.

The only surviving mother of the Tuam mother and bay home has said she "hopes my missing son is found" as the country's first ever mass grave exhumation begins.

Specialist forensics are tasked with opening the 5,000sq m of ground in the centre of the Dublin Road housing estate in the Galway town.