Derry Girls star Siobhan McSweeney has described a decision by Cork City Council to approve apartments to be built on the site of the former mother-and-baby institution at Bessborough as 'f***ing disgraceful'.
The Traitors Ireland host reacted angrily to the news that Cork City Council has provided conditional permission to developer Estuary View Enterprises for the 140 apartment units at Bessborough in Ballinure, Blackrock, Co Cork.
Ex-residents and campaigners have long objected to previous attempts to develop the site, fearing it could encroach on burial sites yet to be found.
More than 900 children from Bessborough died, but only 64 have known graves.
Siobhan said on social media: 'I've lived to see another day from this heatwave and another year of this commemoration outside Bessborough mother and baby home. I wish I could be there, but I can't.
'But what I can do is express my utter disgust and dismay over Cork City Council's decision to allow apartments to be built on this site.
'It's f**king disgraceful. It's really, really shameful. It perpetuates the injustices and shame that have trickled down through the generations of our great country,' she added.
Bessborough mother and baby home operated from 1922 until 1998 and was one of a network of institutions which housed single mothers and babies during an era when most women were ostracised for becoming pregnant outside marriage.
A six-year state inquiry into Irish mother and baby homes concluded that a total of 923 children who spent time in Bessborough died during its time in operation.
Tuam historian Catherine Corless - who came to national prominence in 2014, when her research revealed that 796 children had died at the site - said last month she was 'absolutely horrified' that planning had been granted.
Ms Corless told Cork's Echo Live at the time: 'The thought of building apartments on land where so many children died is just totally disrespectful, and I’m shocked that Cork City Council would grant planning there.'
The planned development will see the demolition of 10 existing agricultural buildings and log cabin residential structures.
The construction of 140 residential apartments will take place across three blocks.
Two existing farmyard buildings are to be redeveloped as amenities for residents, including a workspace, library, lounge and function space.
The planned development also includes a new pedestrian and cycle bridge, upgrades to an existing pedestrian crossing and outdoor amenity areas.
Cork City Council granted the planning permission, subject to 70 conditions.