Flowers left at the gate entrance to the former site of Sisters of Charity Magdalene Laundry in Donnybrook, Dublin Photo: AFP / Artur Widak
Police investigating allegations of physical and sexual abuse at mother-and-baby homes in Northern Ireland have launched a special appeal for any New Zealand women with a connection to the institutions to come forward.
Police have received 80 reports about the treatment of women and girls at the mother-and-baby homes, workhouses and Catholic-run Magdalene Laundries since a criminal inquiry was launched last year.
The institutions housed thousands of unmarried women and girls who became pregnant, many of whom felt coerced into giving up their children, between 1922 and 1990.
Police said the information received to date included allegations of inconsistencies with birth records from people who were adopted from Northern Irish institutions and now lived overseas.
Enquiries suggested there could be more victims and witnesses who were yet to come forward, with many moving or being adopted by people from countries such as New Zealand, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said.
Detective Superintendent Gary Reid, who is leading the investigation, said any information from women living in New Zealand who gave birth, were adopted, visited or worked at one of the institutions could be helpful.
"We don't want anyone to feel they have to suffer in silence anymore and we will continue to do all we can to reach as many people with this message as possible.
"We know that many people who may have given birth in these institutions, or who were adopted from them now reside outside of Northern Ireland, including countries like New Zealand.
"If you believe you were the victim of abuse or other forms of criminality in any of these institutions in Northern Ireland, or know somebody who was, or if you witnessed anything suspicious, please contact us."
A report published in January 2021 that examined eight mother-and-baby homes, former workhouses and four Magdalene Laundries found that a number of women and girls were the victims of sexual crime, including rape and incest.
When it was published, the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, apologised to survivors.
Police have set up a dedicated reporting system to make it easier for people to come forward. Anyone who wants to speak to the investigation team is asked to call 00 4428 9090 1728 or email MotherBabyHomes.Magdalenelaundries@psni.police.uk
The institutions involved:
Magdalene Laundries
St Mary's Home, Belfast - 1867-1982 (Good Shepherd Sisters)
St Mary' Home, Derry/Londonderry - 1922-1982 (Good Shepherd Sisters)
St Mary's Home, Newry - 1946-1984 (Good Shepherd Sisters)
Salvation Army/Rescue Home, Belfast - 1886-1965
Mother-and-baby institutions
Mater Dei, Belfast - 1942-1984 (Legion of Mary)
Marianville, Belfast - 1950-1990 (Good Shepherd Sisters)
Marianvale, Newry - 1955-1984 (Good Shepherd Sisters)
Belfast Midnight Mission/Malone Place Maternity Home and Rescue Home - 1860-1948
Church of Ireland Rescue League/Kennedy House, Belfast - 1912-1956
Hopedene House, Belfast - 1943-1985
Salvation Army, Thorndale House - 1920-1977
Health and social services/charities
Mount Oriel, Belfast - 1969-1980s (EHSSB)
Deanery Flats, Belfast - 1973-1991 (Barnardo's)
Belfast and Coleraine Welfare Flats - 1940s-1980s
Workhouses