The government has announced the appointment of an Advisory Board for the planned excavation of the Tuam Mother and Baby Home.
The Advisory Board will support the Tuam Director in the complex work of excavating the mass grave at the former Mother and Baby Home.
The Director of the project, Mr Daniel MacSweeney, was appointed by Minister Roderic O’ Gorman back in May.
He will consult with the Advisory Board at regular intervals, including at key decision points in the intervention.
In line with the provisions of the Institutional Burials Act 2022 the Tuam Advisory Board consists of: a chairperson who is a former coroner or someone with coronial expertise; two members with scientific expertise; a representative of Galway County Council; a former resident of the Tuam institution; and a family member of a person believed to be buried at the Tuam site.
Speaking today Minister O’Gorman said, “I am pleased to make these appointments to the Advisory Board. The strong pool of experience and expertise will be an invaluable resource to the Director during what will no doubt be a highly complex intervention process.
“In addition to being supported by this Advisory Board, the Tuam Director is committed to ongoing engagement with all those affected by the site.”
The persons appointed to the positions are:
- Chairperson: Dr Brian Farrell, Dublin District Coroner emeritus and past President of the Coroner’s Society of Ireland
- Scientific Expert: Dr Barra O’Donnabhain, Department of Archaeology, University College Cork
- Scientific Expert: Dr Denise Keating, Freelance Consultant Osteoarchaeologist
- County Council representative: Alan Farrell, Director of Services (Corporate Services)
- former resident: Peter Mulryan
- family member: Annette McKay
