300 victims of child homes horror to tell their story as abuse inquiry finally opens - Northern Ireland residential institutions

300 victims of child homes horror to tell their story as abuse inquiry finally  opens  
BY JOANNE SWEENEY – 13 January 2014
A £19m Government investigation on the abuse of children over a 73-year period in Northern Ireland residential institutions is under way. 

More than 300 men and women will give evidence to the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry (HIA) on the physical and sexual abuse and neglect they suffered from those who should have cared for them.

The witnesses, now middle-aged and older, will tell their harrowing stories at the inquiry, which will be held in Banbridge Courthouse, Co Down.

At the end of the 18 months of evidence, involving at least 14 individual institutions, the inquiry will determine whether there were "systemic failings" in preventing such abuse.

The inquiry will investigate historical institutional abuse – if there were systemic failings by institutions or the State "in the duties towards those children in their care between years of 1922-1995". Abuse will include physical, emotional and sexual abuse, as well as neglect.

Coming from all over Northern Ireland, the Republic, Britain and Australia, the witnesses – many of whom will only be identified by a code to protect their anonymity – may finally get recognition of the wrong that was done to them after the inquiry reports to the Executive early in 2016.

All the witnesses spent time in residential care of the various institutions. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/300-victims-of-child-homes-horror-to-tell-their-story-as-abuse-inquiry-finally-opens-29910328.html


Nuns 'battered boys stupid' in Derry children's home, victim tells child abuse inquiry
Man now aged 55 says he was caned on the feet by Sisters and sexually abused by older boys
By Michael McHugh – 13 January 2014

Nuns used to batter boys stupid during daily abuse at a children's home in Londonderry, one victim has claimed.

John Heaney, 55, was caned on the feet by members of the order of the Sisters of Nazareth at St Joseph's in Termonbacca and said he suffered sexual abuse from older boys.

"Nuns were very good at raising their hands. All the Termonbacca boys have a flat spot on the back of their heads because they were battered stupid," he said.

Termonbacca will be one of the first residential homes examined, with evidence from witnesses due to begin in coming weeks. Mr Heaney made his comments as he prepared to attend Sir Anthony's hearings....

300 victims

The largest ever inquiry into the abuse of children at residential homes in the UK will examine the soul of society, a lawyer has said.

Decades of physical, sexual and emotional suffering were inflicted upon the most vulnerable by the church, the state and voluntary organisations, it was alleged today.

More than 300 victims are set to testify to the investigation, which is expected to last 18 months.... http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/nuns-battered-boys-stupid-in-derry-childrens-home-victim-tells-child-abuse-inquiry-29912351.html