Updated 6 Mar 2017, 6:09pm

The site of a mass grave of hundreds of children who died in the former Catholic-run Bons Secours home.
PHOTO: The remains of babies ranging from newborn to three years old, were found in the sewers of one of the country's mother and baby homes. (Reuters)
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Ireland will widen an inquiry into former church-run homes for unmarried mothers if needed, Prime Minister Enda Kenny has said, calling the discovery of long-dead babies in the sewers at one home "truly appalling".

The remains of babies ranging from newborn to three years old were found in the sewers of one of the country's mother and baby homes following a "shocking" excavation, government-appointed investigators announced on Friday.

The Government ordered the inquiry in 2014 after a local historian's research suggested up to 800 children may lie in an unmarked grave at the home in the western town of Tuam.