‘We did our best’: Religious order’s defence of county home care sparks fresh redress row

Sisters of St John of God defended their role in a county home and offered a conditional €75k donation, newly released records show

The Commission of Investigation final report at the site of the former mother and baby home in Tuam. Picture: Andy Newman

The Sisters of Saint John of God have defended the care they gave unmarried mothers in a county home, saying there is “no evidence that they did anything but their best” and described the women who were admitted there as “banished” from society, new records reveal.

The religious order was one of eight that met with former minister for children Roderic O’Gorman, along with officials from his department and the State Claims Agency, for discussions on voluntary contributions to the redress scheme.