The former Good Shepherd Convent in Derry
THE long awaited inquiry report into Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) across the North of Ireland was published today.
And it makes for shocking reading about the Catholic Church, the British State and health professionals who failed to protect vulnerable young people in their care from the 1922 through to the 1990s, leaving them mentally scarred for the rest of their lives.
The inquiry was chaired by retired High Court Judge Sir Anthony Hart.
His inquiry team found that in regard to the Good Shepherd Sisters facilities in Derry, the retired judge said there had been “unacceptable practices” of young girls being forced to do industrial work in the laundries.
At other homes across the North of Ireland, young boys and girls were either sexually or physically assaulted by those charged with looking after them.
Derry-born Dr Eamon Martin, the leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, says the publication of the HIA report here “reminds us that much work remains to be undertaken in this regard.”
The Archbishop is due to meet Pope Francis today and is expected to make reference to the HIA findings in his speech.
Speaking at a press conference today at which he published the HIA’s 2,300 page report, Sir Anthony Hart said: “The largest number of complaints to the HIA related to four homes of the Sisters of Nazareth religious order.
“In each of the four homes some nuns engaged in physical and emotional abuse against children.
“Emotional abuse was widespread in all homes.”
Sir Anthony Hart also found that a disinfectant was used used in baths.
He said there was a significant number of cases of sexual abuse involving both priests and lay staff.
HIA inquiry panel: (left to right) David Lane, Sir Anthony Hart and Geraldine Cormack
Many of these incidents were known to members of the clergy who did nothing to stop them.
A total of 493 engaged with the inquiry team from across Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland and Australia making complaints against 65 institutions.
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