Thousands more women admitted to mother and baby institutions than estimated, report finds

Around 2,000 more women were admitted to mother and baby homes and Magdalene Laundries in Northern Ireland than previously estimated, a report has found.

On Tuesday the Truth Recovery Independent Panel published their final report, describing it as "the largest and most comprehensive collection of lived-experience testimony in Northern Ireland in connection to these institutions".

The report's findings are based on testimony from almost 300 people directly affected by the institutions.

The 10-person independent panel was appointed by the executive office to look into the practices of the institutions, which were run by the Catholic Church, religious orders, some Protestant denominations and the state until the 1990s.

The report comes after Stormont last week passed a bill for a public inquiry and a financial redress scheme relating to mother and baby institutions.

Revised figures in the report show admissions to mother and baby institutions had increased from the previously estimated 10,500 to 12,062, and admissions to Magdalene Laundries and related institutions had risen from 3,455 to 3,753 after access to additional records.

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The co-chairmen of the Truth Recovery Independent Panel found that "human rights abuses, degrading treatment, and forced separation of families are recurring and frequent" in evidence from survivors of the homes.

The co-chairmen, Professors Leanne McCormick and Sean O'Connell, said the report marks "a significant milestone in the pursuit of truth and justice for victims/survivors who spent time in these institutions".

"They have been fundamental to our understanding of what took place in the institutions and the enduring impacts, enabling us to offer our analysis, revealing the hidden history of the institutions and the associated pathways and practices," they said.

The co-chairmen added they hoped the report would "help ensure that the work of the public inquiry can be carried out as swiftly as possible".

(c) Sky News 2026: Thousands more women admitted to mother and baby institutions than estimated, report finds