'Change in attitude must follow State's concession' in mother and baby homes case

The finding means that the commission report no longer stands as a credible record, according to survivors who took the case, and the Clann Project

The court declared that eight survivors including Philomena Lee (pictured), Mary Harney, Mari Steed, Madeleine Bridget Marvier, Mary Isobelle Mullaney and others not identified publicly were denied fair procedures by the State’s Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation which operated between 2015 and 2021. File photo: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland

The State has acknowledged in the High Court that the rights of nine former residents of mother and baby homes were breached by the failure to provide them with a draft copy of the report by the Commission of Investigation into the homes prior to is publication.

The court had heard the actions of Philomena Lee and Mary Harney, who were chosen as test cases to address a core claim in nine similar actions.