Abuse inquiry: 'Termonbacca beatings left me deaf'

BBC News
February 25, 2014

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-26339860

St Joseph's Home, Termonbacca, was run by the Sisters of Nazareth order of nuns

A former resident at St Joseph's Catholic children's home, Termonbacca, has told the Historical Abuse Inquiry that he is partially deaf because of the beatings he received there.

He said one nun targeted him for 10 years, hitting him about the head with a brush, a mop or a tree branch.

The 53-year-old told the inquiry sitting in Banbridge that one nun lost her temper and he was her scapegoat.

In a statement, the nun said she had not beaten him with a stick or a strap.

She said she was surprised that he had made such allegations.

The inquiry is investigating abuse claims against children's residential institutions in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 1995.

Termonbacca and another Derry home, Nazareth House, were run by the Sisters of Nazareth.

The inquiry, being held in Banbridge, County Down, is chaired by retired judge Sir Anthony Hart and is considering cases in 13 residential institutions.

Public hearings are due to finish in June 2015, with the inquiry team to report to the Northern Ireland Executive by the start of 2016.