HUNDREDS of orphan children are believed to be buried in an unmarked mass grave, it has emerged.
It is alleged the children, who were residents at the Smyllum Park Orphanage in Lanark, Scotland, are buried in an unmarked mass grave at the nearby St. Mary's Cemetery.
The findings were uncovered in a joint investigation by BBC News and the Sunday Post newspaper being aired on BBC Radio 4.
The children, estimated to be aged from infants to young teens, were under the care of the institution run by the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul from 1864 until 1981.
While it was open, approximately 11,600 people passed through the doors of Smyllum Park.
The institution is currently under investigation by the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI), to whom the Daughters of Charity have previously provided evidence to earlier this year.
Death records for Smyllum Park uncovered by both news outlets indicate that most of the children died of natural causes, from common diseases at the time including tuberculosis, pneumonia and pleurisy.
Analysis of the records show that a third of those who died were aged five or under, while very few of the deceased, 24 in total, were aged over 15.
Most of the deaths occurred between 1870 and 1930.
Speaking to The Irish Post, Paul Redmond of the Coalition of Mother and Baby Homes Survivors said: "The Irish survivor community is appalled to learn of the mass grave in Smyllum Park orphanage.
Paul Redmond said the Order should 'hang their heads in shame.' (Picture: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland)"The Daughters of Charity nuns need to be held accountable for yet another institution where it's clear that the lives of the most vulnerable and innocent babies were not cherished or valued.
"The Coalition of Mother And Baby Home Survivors notes that this latest horrific discovery is not a once off and is part of a pattern with other institutions the Daughters of Charity ran such as the notorious St. Patrick's Mother and Baby home in Dublin."
Mr Redmond alleges that at least 2,000 children died in St. Patrick's Home as a 'direct result of wilful neglect' before it was closed in 1996.
Mr Redmond also said the Daughters of Charity "should hang their heads in shame and disband their order."
"The time for talk is over and the survivor community want action rather than committees and inquiries.
"We will remember our fallen crib mates in Scotland and continue to demand justice.
"Rest in peace Smyllum Park babies."
The BBC have said the Daughters of Charity have declined to comment on the investigation findings.
The Irish Post has contacted the Order for comment.
In a statement to The Irish Post, a spokesman for the SCAI said Inquiry hearings will resume in October 2017.
It added the Inquiry will consider the case involving the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, with a particular focus on Smyllum Park and Bellevue House in Rutherglen, another institution formally run by the Order.
