Ireland prime minister: ‘I apologize for the shame and stigma’ of mother-and-baby homes

Ireland’s Prime Minister Michael Martin issued an apology for the state’s role in Roman Catholic Church-run homes for unmarried mothers and their children. The so-called mother-and-baby homes became notorious in Ireland for their brutal conditions and accusations of abuse. A government-commissioned report found that infant mortality in the facilities ran at 15 percent, as well as rampant emotional abuse.Jan. 13, 2021