Sisters of Mercy reject most serious abuse claims

THE nuns who ran one of the country’s most notorious industrial schools have rejected the most serious allegations of abuse against children in their care.

The Sisters of Mercy told the Child Abuse Commission they accepted the regime at Goldenbridge in Dublin was harsh and insensitive to the needs of the children. However, they said they would not and could not accept the worst of the alleged offences.

Order spokeswoman, Sr Helena O’Donoghue described as “extraordinary” some of the allegations of extreme physical punishment, starvation and malnourishment and denied any child died due to deliberate mistreatment.