Public urged to attend protest against development on Bessborough Mother and Baby Home site

Olivia Kelleher

Members of the public are urged to join survivors of the Bessborough Mother and Baby Home in Cork as they hold a protest in the city centre on Saturday afternoon against a proposed building development on the site.

Earlier this year, Estuary View Enterprises was granted planning permission by Cork City Council to build 140 apartments on the grounds of Bessborough in Blackrock on the southside of Cork city.

Bessborough Mother and Baby Home Support Group and Cllr Peter Horgan of Labour lodged appeals to An Coimisiné Pleanála.

On July 9th the Commission upheld permission for 108 apartments on the site.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin asked Cork City Council to engage with the owners of the Bessborough Grounds to “explore all options for the future of the site.”

In a post on social media Mr Martin described Bessborough “as being of huge importance to many people and families, at home and abroad.” He said that there was a need “to do the right thing for all concerned.”

Campaigners are vehemently opposed to development on what they describe as“a site of conscience.”

The Commission of Investigation in to Mother and Baby Homes estimated that 923 babies died at the home between the 1920’s and 1990’s.

Labour Senator Laura Harmon has welcomed the comments from the Taoiseach. She said that survivors of the home need clarity that the site will be brought in to state ownership and protected from being built on.

“We will not stop campaigning until we have certainty on this. This is the key ask of survivors and families all along. We cannot cement over this dark history when many survivors still have questions about their loved ones. The site should be a public memorial.

Survivors have been let down before so many times and we will continue to campaign until we have certainty that the site will be protected. I will stand with survivors at a rally in Cork at 2.30pm today (Sat) outside the City Library.

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Damian Boylan, said that city councillors have consistently acknowledged the “profound suffering” which occurred at Bessborough. Cllr Boylan (FG) said that earlier this week, councillors unanimously voted in support of pursuing a CPO of the site.

“Cork City Council is committed to ensuring that any future discussions reflect the significance of Bessborough.

The City Council will now engage with the relevant stakeholders to explore all options for the site in a considered, sensitive and respectful manner.”

His party colleague Cork TD Jerry Buttimer said that the news that Cork City Council is to engage with the landowners to explore all options for the future of the site represents a significant step forward.

“Over recent weeks, I have been engaging privately across Government, including with An Tánaiste and An Taoiseach, on this issue. As a Minister of State, I believed the most appropriate and effective way to advance these concerns was through direct engagement within Government, ensuring the voices of survivors, families and the wider community were heard at the highest level.

"Bessborough is a place of profound historical significance and deep personal importance to so many people in Cork, across Ireland and around the world.

"Today’s announcement provides an opportunity to pursue a path that respects that legacy while listening carefully to those most affected.”