NUIG sets up helpline on infant remains transfers

Galway Bay fm newsroom – NUI Galway has set up a helpline after records have revealed that 35 infant remains from Galway hospitals were used for doctors' training at the university for a period up until the mid-1960s. Data provided by the Anatomical Committee of Irish Medical Schools shows that 474 unclaimed infant remains were tranferred to various Anatomy Departments nationwide. Records show NUI Galway received a total of 35 infant remains from Central Hospital Galway and Regional Hospital Galway. 27 of these were transferred to the university from 1960 to 1964, 7 from 1940 to 1949 and 1 from 1950 to 1959. Baby remains were also transferred to UCD, Trinity College Dublin and the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin. This practice then ceased in the mid-1960s, following a public campaign by a group of anatomy professors to encourage public donation. The university has now set up a public information helpline for those who wish to enquire about the transfer of remains during the period. The number is 091 49 33 61.