Northern Ireland Hears of Migrant Children's Horrors

Newstalk (New Zealand)
September 2, 2014

http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/nbint/2040905087-northern-ireland-hears-of-migrant-children-s-horrors

Horrific details have been given to a public hearing in Northern Ireland about children in institutions who were exported to Australia before and after World War II.

Some were as young as five, and many suffered grave sexual and physical abuse in Australia.

A lawyer has told the inquiry in some cases parental consent was not sought, migrants were separated from siblings and some deprived of their real identities by the withholding of birth certificates.

He says reasons for transport included boosting "Catholicisation" in Australia, propping up the number of white inhabitants of the Empire or emptying overcrowded workhouses.