‘The reality is some families don’t want to come forward’ – just six DNA samples collected to identify almost 800 children at Tuam mother and baby home

A drive to encourage more people to come forward and submit DNA will get under way in the coming months

Daniel MacSweeney at the Tuam site. Photo: Ray Ryan

Catherine Fegan

Just six DNA samples have been ­collected to help identify up to 800 children believed to be buried on the grounds of the former mother and baby home in Tuam.

According to the man in charge of the excavation at the site, which is due to begin next February, a drive to encourage more people to come forward and submit DNA will get under way in the coming months.