Care Children "Forced to Eat Vomit"

Belfast Telegraph
January 27, 2014

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/care-children-forced-to-eat-vomit-29953346.html

Christine Smith QC outlined details of the alleged abuse, which included physical assaults using sticks, straps and kettle flexes

Some children at residential homes run by Catholic nuns in Northern Ireland were made to eat their own vomit, a lawyer said.

Those who wet their beds were forced to put soiled sheets on their heads by members of a harsh regime which was devoid of love, the UK's largest ever public inquiry into child abuse at residential homes was told.

Young people at Sisters of Nazareth properties in Londonderry were known by their numbers rather than names and many allegedly subjected to humiliation, threats and physical abuse, counsel to the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry Christine Smith QC said.

Kathleen Forrest, a ministry of home affairs inspector, said in a 1953 report: "I find these homes utterly depressing and it appals me to think that these hundreds of children are being reared in bleak lovelessness."

The treatment of children in church-run residential homes is a key concern of the investigation being held in Banbridge, Co Down. It is chaired by retired judge Sir Anthony Hart and is considering cases between 1922, the foundation of Northern Ireland, and 1995.

The Nazareth House Children's Home and St Joseph's Home, Termonbacca, were run by the Sisters of Nazareth in Londonderry. Those allegedly abused there will give evidence later this week. The religious order has already issued a public apology.

Ms Forrest inspected the Derry homes and two more run by the Sisters of Nazareth in Belfast.

"The children in these homes have nothing like a normal upbringing. They must feel unloved as it is just not possible for the number of staff to show affection to such a large number of children," she said.

"They can know nothing or little of the world outside and must be completely unprepared for it, either in character or knowledge."

She added: "This is not meant entirely as a criticism of staff, but their task is impossible."

Ms Smith outlined details of the alleged abuse, which included physical assaults using sticks, straps and kettle flexes.