Access to Irish 'Illegal' Adoption Files

Despite the fact that the Irish Adoption Bill came into force in 1952, illegal adoptions still continued up until the late 60s. In fact the Irish government refuses to acknowledge that this practise went on, leaving thousands of 'illegall' adoptees who are now adults to live in limbo, never knowing where they came from. 42 mother and baby homes mainly run by nurses involved in this illegal practice closed suddenly in 1972 when the new Health Act came into force. An astounding co-incidence I would say. But whats even more astounding is out of those 42 nursing homes, there is reportedly not one set of files available, which is statistically unrealistic. . In many cases mothers were forced to part with their babies. Somewhere these files are hidden away in archives and illegal adoptees should have the right to access these files.

It is now time that we lobby the Irish government for the right to access these files. Please offer your support by signing this petition.