'Adoption Stories' reveals harrowing stories of an abusive adoptive mother and a two-year-old snatched by a nun

The documentary series features adult adoptees searching for their parents as well as natural parents living without their children.

In the first episode Pat McManus reveals he was adopted by an abusive mother and a loving but quiet father.

When Pat's adoptive mother passed away last year he realised he had been completely written out of her will, driving home how unwanted he actually was.

Another story involves Winnie Heavey, a woman who gave birth in a mother and baby home at the age of just 15.

She and her daughter were taken home by her parents, who adored both of them, but just two years later Winnie's daughter Patricia was snatched out of her arms by a nun and sent for adoption, without any legal consent.

In Ireland the files of adopted people are closed and they are not entitled to any information about their birth. Historically, natural mothers signed contracts saying they would never contact their child.

The documentary analyses trafficking and illegal activities and asks why no organisation has yet been prosecuted.

It also poses the question of whether or not inter-country adoption is a realistic option for couples when it takes so long and so few countries are open to them.

‘Adoption Stories’ will air on TV3 in June.